^S.%4 

LIB  R  A  RY 

OF   THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

OK 


271892    ,/<?9 

Accessions  No.  tfSqoq       Shelf  No. 


THE 


HEIDENMAUER  ; 

OR, 

THE     BENEDICTINES 

nf  tlj?  Hljrat 


BYj.    FENIMORE    COOPER. 


**From  mighty  wrongs  to  petty  perfidy, 
Hare  I  not  Been  what  human  things  could  do?* 

Byron. 


O  0  MPLE  TE  IW  *ONE.  'VO  L  TJMS 


NEW    EDITION. 


NEW    YORK: 
STRINGER      AND      TOWNSENJ> 

1856. 

,-^^-*S'H. 

/->>* 0?  ^^ 

1 1  Tl 


EEIDENMAUER. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1882,  by  CABEYMid 
LEA,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of 
Pennsylvania. 


INTRODUCTION. 


«  I  shall  crave  your  forbearance  a  little  ;  may  be,  I  will  call  upon  yom 
anon,  for  some  advantage  to  yourself." 

Measure  for  Measure. 


CONTRARY  to  a  long-established  usage,  a  summer  had  been 
passed  within  the  walls  of  a  large  town ;  but,  the  moment  of 
liberation  arrived,  the  bird  does  not  quit  its  cage  with  greater 
pleasure,  than  that  with  which  post-horses  were  commanded, 
We  were  four  in  a  light  travelling  caleche,  which  strong  Nor 
man  cattle  transported  merrily  towards  their  native  province. 
For  a  time  we  quitted  Paris,  the  queen  of  modern  cities,  with 
its  tumults  and  its  order ;  its  palaces  and  its  lanes ;  its  ele 
gance  and  its  filth ;  its  restless  inhabitants  and  its  stationary 
politicians;  its  theories  and  its  practices;  its  riches  and  its 
poverty ;  its  gay  and  its  sorrowful ;  its  rentiers  and  its  patriots ; 
its  young  liberals  and  its  old  illiberals ;  its  three  estates  and 
its  equality ;  its  delicacy  of  speech  and  its  strength  of  con 
duct  ;  its  government  of  the  people  and  its  people  of  no  gov 
ernment ;  its  bayonets  and  its  moral  force  ;  its  science  and  its 
ignorance ;  its  amusements  and  its  revolutions ;  its  resistance 
that  goes  backward,  and  its  movement  that  stands  still ;  its 
milliners,  its  philosophers,  its  opera-dancers,  its  poets,  its 
fiddlers,  its  bankers,  and  its  cooks.  Although  so  long  en 
thralled  within  the  barriers,  it  was  not  easy  to  quit  Paris,  en 
tirely  without  regret— Paris,  which  every  stranger  censures 
and  every  stranger  seeks ;  which  moralists  abhor  and  imitate ; 
which  causes  the  heads  of  the  old  to  shake,  and  the  hearts  of 
the  young  to  beat ; — Paris,  the  centre  of  so  much  that  is  ex 
cellent,  and  of  so  much  that  cannot  be  named ! 

That  night  we  laid  our  heads  on  rustic  pillows,  far  from  the 
French  capital.  The  succeeding  day  we  snuffed  the  air  of  the 
sea.  Passing  through  Artois  and  French  Flanders,  on  the 
fifth  morning  we  entered  the  new  kingdom  of  Belgium,  by  the 
historical  and  respectable  towns  of  Doua'i,  and  Tournai,  and 
A2 


VI  INTRODUCTION    TO 

Ath.  At  every  step  we  met  the  flag  which  flutters  over  the 
pavilion  of  the  Thuileries,  and  recognized  the  confident  air 
and  swinging  gait  of  French  soldiers.  They  had  just  been 
employed  in  propping  the  crumbling  throne  of  the  house  of 
Saxe.  To  us  they  seemed  as  much  at  home  as  when  they 
lounged  on  the  Quai  d'Orsay. 

There  was  still  abundant  evidence  visible  at  Brussels,  of 
the  fierce  nature  of  the  struggle  that  had  expelled  the  Dutch. 
Forty-six  shells  were  sticking  in  the  side  of  a  single  building 
of  no  great  size,  while  ninety-three  grape-shot  were  buried  in 
one  of  its  pilasters !  In  our  own  rooms,  too,  there  were  fearful 
signs  of  war.  The  mirrors  were  in  fragments,  the  walls  broken 
by  langrage,  the  wood-work  of  the  beds  was  pierced  by  shot, 
and  the  furniture  was  marked  by  rude  encounters.  The  trees 
of  the  park  were  mutilated  in  a  thousand  places,  and  one  of 
the  little  Cupids,  that  we  had  left  laughing  above  the  principal 
gate  throe  years  before,  was  now  maimed  and  melancholy, 
whilst  its  companion  had  altogether  taken  flight  on  the  wings 
of  a  cannon-ball.  Tnough  dwelling  in  the  very  centre  of  so 
many  hostile  vestiges,  we  happily  escaped  the  sight  of  human 
blood ;  for  we  understood  from  the  obliging  Swiss  who  presides 
over  the  hotel,  that  his  cellars,  at  all  times  in  repute,  were  in 
more  than  usual  request  during  the  siege.  From  so  much 
proof  we  were  left  to  infer,  that  the  Belgians  had  made  stout 
battle  for  their  emancipation,  one  sign  at  least  that  they  merited 
to  be  free. 

Our  road  lay  by  Louvain,  Thirlemont,  Lidge,  Aix-la-Cha- 
pelle,  and  Juliers,  to  the  Rhine.  The  former  of  these  towna 
had  been  the  scene  of  a  contest  between  the  hostile  armies, 
the  preceding  week.  As  the  Dutch  had  been  accused  of  un 
usual  excesses  in  their  advance,  we  looked  out  for  the  signs. 
How  many  of  these  marks  had  been  already  obliterated,  we 
could  not  well  ascertain ;  but  those  which  were  still  visible 
gave  us  reason  to  think  that  the  invaders  did  not  merit  all  the 
opprobrium  they  had  received.  Each  hour,  as  life  advances, 
am  I  made  to  see  how  capricious  and  vulgar  is  the  immortality 
conferred  by  a  newspaper ! 

It  would  be  injustice  to  the  ancient  Bishopric  of  Liege  to 
pass  its  beautiful  scenery  without  a  comment.  The  country 


THE   HEIDENMAUER.  vl 

possesses  nearly  every  requisite  for  the  milder  and  more  rural 
sort  of  landscape  ;— isolated  and  innumerable  farm-houses, 
herds  in  the  fields,  living  hedges,  a  waving  surface,  and  a  ver 
dure  to  rival  the  emerald.  By  a  happy  accident,  the  road  runs 
for  miles  on  an  elevated  ridge,  enabling  the  traveller  to  enjoy 
these  beauties  at  his  ease. 

At  Aix-la-Chapelle  we  bathed,  visited  the  relics,  saw  the 
ecene  of  so  many  coronations  of  emperors  of  more  or  less  re 
aown,  sat  in  the  chair  of  Charlemagne,  and  went  our  way. 

The  Rhine  was  an  old  acquaintance.  A  few  years  earlier, 
I  had  stood  upon  the  sands,  at  Katwyck,  and  watched  its  peri 
odical  flow  into  the  North  Sea,  by  means  of  sluices  made  in 
the  short  reign  of  the  good  King  Louis,  and,  the  same  sum 
mer,  I  had  bestrode  it,  a  brawling  brook,  on  the  icy  side  of  St. 
Gothard.  We  had  come  now  to  look  at  its  beauties  in  its 
most  beautiful  part,  and  to  compare  them,  so  far  as  native  par 
tiality  might  permit,  with  the  well-established  claims  of  our 
own  Hudson. 

Quitting  Cologne,  its  exquisite  but  incomplete  cathedral, 
with  the  crane  that  has  been  poised  on  its  unfinished  towers 
five  hundred  years,  its  recollections  of  Rubens  and  his  royal 
patroness,  we  travelled  up  the  stream  so  leisurely  as  to  examine 
all  that  offered,  and  yet  so  fast  as  to  avoid  the  hazard  of  satiety. 
Here  we  met  Prussian  soldiers,  preparing,  by  mimic  service, 
for  the  more  serious  duties  of  their  calling.  Lancers  were 
galloping,  in  bodies,  across  the  open  fields ;  videttes  were  post 
ed,  the  cocked  pistol  in  hand,  at  every  hay-stack;  while 
couriers  rode,  under  the  spur,  from  point  to  point,  as  if  the 
great  strife,  which  is  so  menacingly  preparing,  and  which 
sooner  or  later  must  come,  had  actually  commenced.  As 
Europe  is  now  a  camp,  these  hackneyed  sights  scarce  drew  a 
took  aside.  We  were  in  quest  of  the  interest  which  nature,  in 
her  happier  humors,  bestows. 

There  were  ruined  castles,  by  scores;  gray  fortresses; 
abbeys,  some  deserted  and  others  yet  tenanted ;  villages  and 
towns ;  the  seven  mountains ;  cliffs  and  vineyards.  At  every 
step  we  felt  how  intimate  is  the  association  between  the 
poetry  of  Nature  and  that  of  art ;  between  the  hill-side  with 
its  falling  turret,  and  the  moral  feeling  that  lends  them  interest 


V1U  INTRODUCTION    TO 

Here  was  an  island,  of  no  particular  excellence,  but  the  walli 
of  a  convent  of  .the  middle  ages  crumbled  on  its  surface.  There 
was  a  naked  rock,  destitute  of  grandeur,  and  wanting  in  those 
tints  which  milder  climates  bestow,  bat  a  baronial  hold  tottered 
on  its  apex.  Here  Cffisar  led  his  legions  to  the  stream,  and 
there  Napoleon  threw  his  corps  d'armee  on  the  hostile  bank ; 
this  monument  was  to  Hoehe,  and  from  that  terrace  the  great 
Adolphus  directed  his  battalions.  Time  is  wanting  to  mellow 
the  view  of  our  own  historical  sites;  for  the  sympathy  that  can 
be  accumulated  only  by  the  general  consent  of  mankind,  has 
not  yet  clothed  them  with  the  indefinable  colors  of  distance 
and  convention. 

In  the  mood  likely  to  be  created  by  a  flood  of  such  recol 
lections,  we  pursued  our  way  along  the  southern  margin  of 
this  great  artery  of  central  Europe.  We  wondered  at  the 
vastness  of  the  RheinfeJs,  admired  the  rare  jewel  of  the  ruin 
ed  church  at  Baccarach,  and  marvelled  at  the  giddy  precipice 
on  which  a  prince  of  Prussia  even  now  dwells,  in  the  eagle- 
like  grandeur  and  security  of  the  olden  time.  On  reaching 
Mayence,  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  we  deliberately  and, 
as  we  hoped,  impartially  compared  what  had  just  been  seen, 
with  that  which  is  so  well  and  so  affectionately  remembered. 

I  had  been  familiar  with  the  Hudson  from  childhood.  The 
great  thoroughfare  of  all  who  journey  from  the  interior  of  the 
state  towards  the  sea,  necessity  had  early  made  me  acquainted 
with  its  windings,  its  promontories,  its  islands,  its  cities,  and 
its  villages.  Even  its  hidden  channels  had  been  professionally 
examined,  and  time  was  when  there  did  not  stand  an  unknown 
seat  on  its  banks,  or  a  hamlet  that  had  not  been  visited.  Here 
then  was  the  force  of  deep  impressions  to  oppose  to  the  in 
fluence  of  objects  still  visible. 

To  me  it  is  quite  apparent  that  the  Rhine,  while  it  frequently 
possesses  more  of  any  particular  species  of  scenery,  within  a 
given  number  of  miles,  than  the  Hudson,  has  none  of  so  great 
excellence.  It  wants  the  variety,  the  noble  beauty,  and  the 
broad  grandeur  of  the  American  stream.  The  latter,  within 
the  distance  universally  admitted  to  contain  the  finest  parts 
of  the  Rhine,  is  both  a  large  and  a  small  river ;  it  has  its  bays, 
its  narrow  passages  among  the  meadows,  its  frowning  gorges, 


THE    HEIDENMAUER.  IX 

tnd  its  reaches  resembling  Italian  lakes;  whereas  the  most 
that  can  be  said  of  its  European  competitor,  is  that  all  these 
wonderful  peculiarities  are  feebly  imitated.  Ten  degrees  of  a 
lower  latitude  supply  richer  tints,  brighter  transitions  of  light 
and  shadow,  and  more  glorious  changes  of  the  atmosphere,  to 
embellish  the  beauties  of  our  western  clime.  In  islands,  too, 
the  advantage  is  with  the  Hudson,  for,  while  those  of  the 
Rhine  are  the  most  numerous,  those  of  the  former  stream  are 
bolder,  better  placed,  and,  in  every  natural  feature,  of  more 
account. 

When  the  comparison  between  these  celebrated  rivers  is  ex 
tended  to  their  artificial  accessories,  the  result  becomes  more 
doubtful.  The  buildings  of  the  older  towns  and  villages  of 
Europe  seem  grouped  especially  for  effect,  as  seen  in  the  dis 
tant  view,  though  security  was  in  truth  the  cause,  while  the 
spacious,  cleanly,  and  cheerful  villages  of  America  must  com 
monly  be  entered,  to  be  appreciated.  In  the  other  hemisphere, 
the  maze  of  roofs,  the  church-towers,  the  irregular  faces  of 
wall,  and  frequently  the  castle  rising  to  a  pinnacle  in  the  rear, 
give  a  town  the  appearance  of  some  vast  and  antiquated  pile 
devoted  to  a  single  object.  Perhaps  the  boroughs  of  the  Rhine 
have  less  of  this  picturesque,  or  landscape  effect,  than  the 
villages  of  France  and  Italy,  for  the  Germans  regard  space 
more  than  their  neighbors,  but  still  are  they  less  commonplace 
than  the  smiling  and  thriving  little  marts  that  crowd  the  bor 
ders  of  the  Hudson.  To  this  advantage  must  be  added  that 
which  is  derived  from  the  countless  ruins,  and  a  crowd  of 
recollections.  Here,  the  superiority  of  the  artificial  auxiliaries 
of  the  Rhine  ceases,  and  those  of  her  rival  come  into  the  as 
cendant.  In  modern  abodes,  in  villas,  and  even  in  seats,  those 
of  princes  alone  excepted,  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  have 
scarcely  an  equal  in  any  region.  There  are  finer  and  nobler 
edifices  on  the  Brenta,  and  in  other  favored  spots,  certainly, 
but  I  know  no  stream  that  has  so  many  that  please  and  attract 
the  eye.  As  applied  to  moving  objects,  an  important  feature 
in  this  comparison,  the  Hudson  has  perhaps  no  rival,  in  any 
river  that  can  pretend  to  a  picturesque  character.  In  numbers, 
in  variety  of  rig,  in  beauty  of  form,  in  swiftness  and  dexterity 
of  handling,  and  in  general  grace  and  movement,  this  extra* 


Jt  INTRODUCTION    TO 

ordinary  passage  ranks  amongst  the  first  of  the  world.  The 
yards  of  tall  ships  swing  among  the  rocks  and  forests  of  the 
highlands,  while  sloop,  schooner,  and  bright  canopied  steam-boat, 
yacht,  periagua,  and  canoe  are  seen  in  countless  numbers,  deck 
ing  its  waters.  There  is  one  more  eloquent  point  of  difference 
that  should  not  be  neglected.  Drawings  and  engravings  of 
the  Rhine  lend  their  usual  advantages,  softening,  and  frequently 
rendering  beautiful,  objects  of  no  striking  attractions  when 
seen  as  they  exist ;  while  every  similar  attempt  to  represent 
the  Hudson,  at  once  strikes  the  eye  as  unworthy  of  its  original. 

Nature  is  fruitful  of  fine  effects  in  every  region,  and  it  is  a 
mistake  not  to  enjoy  her  gifts,  as  we  move  through  life,  on  ac 
count  of  some  fancied  superiority  in  this,  or  that,  quarter  of  the 
world.  We  left  the  Rhine,  therefore,  with  regret,  for,  in  its 
way,  a  lovelier  stream  can  scarce  be  found. 

At  Mayence  we  crossed  to  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and 
passing  by  the  Duchies  of  Nassau  and  Darmstadt,  entered  that 
of  Baden,  at  Heidelberg.  Here  we  sat  upon  the  Tun,  examin 
ed  the  castle,  and  strolled  in  the  alleys  of  the  remarkable 
garden.  Thence  we  proceeded  to  Manheim,  turning  our  faces, 
once  more,  towards  the  French  capital.  The  illness  of  one  of 
the  party  compelled  us  to  remain  a  few  hours  in  the  latter 
city,  which  presented  little  for  reflection,  unless  it  were  that 
this,  like  one  or  two  other  towns  we  had  lately  seen,  served 
to  convince  us,  that  the  symmetry  and  regularity  which  render 
large  cities  magnificent,  cause  those  that  are  small  to  appear 
mean. 

It  was  a  bright  autumnal  day  when  we  returned  to  the  left 
bank  of  the  Rhine,  on  the  way  to  Paris.  The  wishes  of  the 
invalid  had  taken  the  appearance  of  strength,  and  we  hoped  to 
penetrate  the  mountains  which  bound  the  Palatinate  on  its 
south-western  side,  and  to  reach  Kaiserslautern,  on  the  great 
Napoleon  road,  before  the  hour  of  rest.  The  main  object  haa 
been  accomplished,  and,  as  with  all  who  have  effected  their 
purpose,  the  principal  desire  was  to  be  at  home.  A  few  posts 
convinced  us  that  repose  was  still  necessary  to  the  invalid. 
This  conviction,  unhappily  as  I  then  believed,  came  too  late, 
for  we  had  already  crossed  the  plain  of  the  Palatinate,  and 
were  drawing  near  to  the  chain  of  mountains  just  mentioned. 


THE    HEIDEiVMAUER.  XI 

which  are  a  branch  of  the  Vosges,  and  are  known  in  the 
country  as  the  Haart.  We  had  made  no  calculations  for  such 
an  event,  and  former  experience  had  caused  us  to  distrust  the 
inns  of  this  isolated  portion  of  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria.  I  was 
just  hitterly  regretting  our  precipitation,  when  the  church- 
tower  of  Duerckheim  peered  above  the  vineyards;  for,  on 
getting  nearer  to  the  base  of  the  hills,  the  land  became  slightly 
undulating,  and  the  vine  abundant.  As  we  approached,  the 
village  or  borough  promised  little,  but  we  had  the  word  of  the 
postilion  that  the  post-house  was  an  inn  fit  for  a  king ;  and  as  to 
the  wine,  he  could  give  no  higher  eulogium  than  a  flourish  of 
the  whip,  an  eloquent  expression  of  pleasure  for  a  German  of 
his  class.  We  debated  the  question  of  proceeding,  or  of 
stopping,  in  a  good  deal  of  doubt,  to  the  moment  wnen  the 
carriage  drew  up  before  the  sign  of  the  Ox.  A  substantial 
looking  burgher  came  forth  to  receive  us.  There  was  the 
pledge  of  good  cheer  in  the  ample  development  of  his  person, 
which  was  not  badly  typified  by  the  sign,  and  the  hale  hearty 
character  of  his  hospitality  removed  all  suspicion  of  the  hour 
of  reckoning.  If  he  who  travels  much  is  a  gainer  in  know 
ledge  of  mankind,  he  is  sure  to  be  a  loser  in  the  charities  that 
sweeten  life.  Constant  intercourse  with  men  who  are  in  the 
habit  of  seeing  strange  faces,  who  only  dispose  of  their  ser 
vices  to  those  that  are  likely  never  to  need  them  again,  and 
who,  of  necessity,  are  removed  from  most  of  the  responsibilities 
and  affinities  of  a  more  permanent  intercourse,  exhibits  the 
selfishness  of  our  nature  in  its  least  attractive  form.  Policy 
may  susrgest  a  specious  blandishment  of  air,  to  conceal  the 
ordinary  design  on  the  pocket  of  the  stranger ;  but  it  is  in  the 
nature  of  things  that  the  design  should  exist.  The  passion  of 
gain,  like  all  other  passions,  increases  with  indulgence ;  and 
khus  do  we  find  those  who  dwell  on  beaten  roads  more  ra- 
oacious  than  those  in  whom  the  desire  is  latent,  for  want  of 
use. 

Our  host  of  Duerckheim  offered  a  pledge,  in  his  honest 
countenance,  independent  air,  and  frank  manner,  of  his  also 
being  above  the  usual  mercenary  schemes  of  another  portion 
of  the  craft,  who,  dwelling  in  places  of  little  resort,  endeavor 
to  take  their  revenge  of  fortune,  by  showing  that  they  look 


Xll  INTRODUCTION    TO 

upon  every  post-carriage  as  an  especial  God-send.  He  had  a 
garden,  too,  into  which  he  invited  us  to  enter,  while  the  horses 
were  changing,  in  a  way  that  showed  he  was  simply  desirous 
of  being  benevolent,  and  that  he  cared  little  whether  we  staid 
an  hour  or  a  week.  In  short,  his  manner  was  of  an  artless, 
kind,  natural,  and  winning  character,  that  strongly  reminded  ua 
of  home,  and  which  at  once  established  an  agreeable  confi. 
dence  that  is  of  an  invaluable  moral  effect.  Though  too  ex 
perienced  blindly  to  confide  in  national  characteristics,  we 
liked,  too,  his  appearance  of  German  faith,  and  more  than  all 
were  we  pleased  with  the  German  neatness  and  comfort,  of 
which  there  were  abundance,  unalloyed  by  the  swaggering 
pretension  that  neutralizes  the  same  qualities  among  people 
more  artificial.  The  house  was  not  a  beer-drinking,  smoking 
caravanserai,  like  many  hotels  in  that  quarter  of  the  world, 
but  it  had  detached  pavilions  in  the  gardens,  in  which  the 
wearied  traveller  might,  in  sooth,  take  his  rest.  With  such 
inducements  before  our  eyes,  we  determined  to  remain,  and  we 
were  not  long  in  instructing  the  honest  burgher  to  that  effect. 
The  decision  was  received  with  great  civility,  and,  unlike  the 
immortal  Falstaff,  I  began  to  see  the  prospects  of  taking  "  minft 
ease  in  mine  inn"  without  having  a  pocket  picked. 

The  carriage  was  soon  housed,  and  the  baggage  in  the 
chambers.  Notwithstanding  the  people  of  the  house  spoke 
confidently,  but  with  sufficient  modesty,  of  the  state  of  the 
larder,  it  wanted  several  hours,  agreeably  to  our  habits,  to  the 
time  of  dinner,  though  we  had  enjoyed  frequent  opportunities 
of  remarking  that  in  Germany  a  meal  is  never  unseasonable. 
Disregarding  hints,  which  appeared  more  suggested  by  hu 
manity  than  the  love  of  gain,  our  usual  hour  for  eating  was 
named,  and,  by  way  of  changing  the  subject,  I  asked, — 

'•  Did  I  not  see  some  ruins,  on  the  adjoining  mountain,  as 
we  entered  the  village  1" 

"  We  call  Duerckheim  a  city,  mein  Herr,"  rejoined  our  host 
of  the  Ox ;  "  though  none  of  the  largest,  the  time  has  been 
when  it  was  a  capital ! " 

Here  the  worthy  burgher  munched  his  pipe  and  chuckled, 
for  he  was  a  man  that  had  heard  of  such  places  as  London,  and 


THE    HEIDENMAUER.  Xlll 

Paris,  and  Pekin,  and  Naples,  and  St.  Petersburg,  or,  haply, 
of  the  Federal  City  itself. 

"A  capital ! — it  was  the  abode  of  one  of  the  smaller  Princes, 
suppose ;  of  what  family  was  your  sovereign,  pray  1" 

"  You  are  right,  mein  Herr.  Duerckheim,  before  the  French 
revolution,  was  a  residence  (for  so  the  political  capitals  are  call 
ed  in  Germany),  and  it  belonged  to  the  princes  of  Leiningen, 
who  had  a  palace  on  the  other  side  of  the  city  (the  place  may 
be  about  half  as  large  as  Hudson,  or  Schenectady),  which  was 
burnt  in  the  war.  After  the  late  wars,  the  sovereign  was  me 
diatise,  receiving  an  indemnity  in  estates  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Rhine." 

As  this  term  of  mediatise  has  no  direct  synonyme  in  English, 
it  may  be  well  to  explain  its  signification.  Germany,  as  well 
as  most  of  Europe,  was  formerly  divided  into  a  countless  num 
ber  of  petty  sovereignties,  based  on  the  principle  of  feudal 
power.  As  accident,  or  talent,  or  alliances,  or  treachery  ad 
vanced  the  interests  of  the  stronger  of  these  princes,  their 
weaker  neighbors  began  to  disappear  altogether,  or  to  take 
new  and  subordinate  stations  in  the  social  scale.  In  this  man 
ner  has  France  been  gradually  composed  of  its  original,  but 
comparatively  insignificant  kingdom,  buttressed,  as  it  now  is, 
by  Brittany,  and  Burgundy,  arid  Navarre,  and  Dauphiny.  and 
Provence,  and  Normandy,  with  many  other  states ;  and,  in  like 
manner  has  England  been  formed  of  the  Heptarchy.  The  con- 
federative  system  of  Germany  has  continued  more  or  less  of 
this  feudal  organization  to  our  own  times.  The  formation  of 
the  empires  of  Austria  and  Prussia  has,  however,  swallowed  up 
many  of  these  principalities,  and  the  changes  produced  by  the 
policy  of  Napoleon  gave  the  death-blow,  without  distinction,  to 
all  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Rhine.  Of  the  latter 
number  were  the  Princes  of  Leiningen,  whose  possessions  were 
originally  included  in  the  French  republic,  then  in  the  empire, 
and  have  since  passed  under  the  sway  of  the  King  of  Bavaria, 
who,  as  the  legitimate  heir  of  the  neighboring  Duchy  of  Deux 
Fonts,  had  a  nucleus  of  sufficient  magnitude  in  this  portion  of 
Germany,  to  induce  the  congress  of  Vienna  to  add  to  his  do 
minions  ;  their  object  being  to  erect  a  barrier  against  the  future 

B 


Xv  INTRODUCTION     TO 

aggrandizement  of  France.  As  the  dispossessed  sovereigns 
are  permitted  to  retain  their  conventional  rank,  supplying 
wives  and  husbands,  at  need,  to  the  reigning  branches  of  the 
different  princely  families,  the  term  mediatise  has  been  aptly 
enough  applied  to  their  situation. 

"  The  young  prince  was  here,  no  later  than  last  week,"  con- 
tiriued  our  host  of  the  Ox;  "  he  lodged  in  that  pavilion,  where 
ho  passed  several  days.  You  know  that  he  is  a  son  of  the 
Duchess  of  Kent,  and  half-brother  to  the  young  princess  who 
is  likely,  one  day,  to  be  queen  of  England." 

"  Has  he  estates  here,  or  is  he  still,  in  any  way,  connected 
with  your  government  ]" 

"  All  they  have  given  him  is  in  money,  or  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Rhine.  He  went  to  see  the  ruins  of  the  old  castle ;  for 
he  had  a  natural  curiosity  to  look  at  a  place  which  his  ances 
tors  had  built." 

"  It  was  the  ruins  of  the  castle  of  Leiningen,  then,  that  I 
saw  on  the  mountain,  as  we  entered  the  town  1" 

"  No,  mein  Herr.  You  saw  the  ruins  of  the  Abbey  of  Lim- 
burg ;  those  of  Hartenburg,  for  so  the  castle  was  called,  lie 
farther  back  among  the  hills." 

"  What !  a  ruined  abbey,  and  a  ruined  castle,  too  ! — Here  is 
sufficient  occupation  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  An  abbey  and  a 
castle !" 

"  And  the  Heidenmauer,  and  the  Teufelstein." 

"  How !  a  Pagan's  wall,  and  a  Devil's  stone  ! — You  are  rich 
in  curiosities !" 

The  host  continued  to  smoke  on  philosophically. 

"  Have  you  a  guide  who  can  take  me,  by  the  shortest  way 
to  these  places  ]"  . 

"  Any  child  can  do  that." 

"  But  one  who  can  speak  French  is  desirable— for  my  Ger 
man  is  far  from  being  classical." 

The  worthy  inn-keeper  nodded  his  head. 

"Here  is  one  Christian  Kinzel,"  he  rejoined,  after  a  moment 
of  thought,  "  a  tailor  who  has  not  much  custom,  and  who  has 
lived  a  little  in  France ;  he  may  serve  your  turn." 

I  suggested  that  a  tailor  might  find  it  healthful  to  stretch  his 
knee-joints. 


THE    HEIDENMAUER.  XV 

The  host  of  the  Ox  was  amused  with  the  conceit,  and  he 
fairly  removed  the  pipe,  in  order  to  laugh  at  his  ease.  His 
mirth  was  hearty,  like  that  of  a  man  without  guile. 

The  affair  was  soon  arranged.  A  messenger  was  sent  for 
Christian  Kinzel,  and  taking  my  little  male  travelling  com 
panion  by  the  hand,  I  went  leisurely  ahead,  expecting  the  ap 
pearance  of  the  guide.  But,  as  the  reader  will  have  much  to 
do  with  the  place  about  to  be  described,  it  may  be  desirable  that 
he  should  possess  an  accurate  knowledge  of  its  locality. 

Duerckheim  lies  in  that  part  of  Bavaria,  which  is  commonly 
called  the  circle  of  the  Rhine.  The  king,  of  the  country 
named,  may  have  less  than  half  a  million  of  subjects  hi  this 
detached  part  of  his  territories,  which  extends  in  one  course 
from  the  river  to  Rhenish  Prussia,  and  in  the  other  from  Darm 
stadt  to  France.  It  requires  a  day  of  hard  posting  to  traverse 
this  province  in  any  direction,  from  which  it  would  appear 
that  its  surface  is  about  equal  to  two-thirds  of  that  of  Connec 
ticut.  A  line  of  mountains,  resembling  the  smaller  spurs  of 
the  Alleghanies,  and  which  are  known  by  different  local  names, 
but  which  are  a  branch  of  the  Vosges,  passes  nearly  through 
the  centre  of  the  district,  in  a  north  and  south  course.  These 
mountains  cease  abruptly  on  their  eastern  side,  leaving  be 
tween  them  and  the  river,  a  vast  level  surface,  of  that  descrip 
tion  which  is  called  "  flats,"  or  "  bottom  land  "  in  America.  This 
plain,  part  of  the  ancient  Palatinate,  extends  equally  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Rhine,  terminating  as  abruptly  on  the  eastern 
as  on  the  western  border.  In  an  air  line,  the  distance  between 
Heidelberg  and  Duerckheim,  which  lie  opposite  to  each  other 
on  the  two  lateral  extremities  of  the  plain,  may  a  little  ex 
ceed  twenty  miles,  the  Rhine  running  equi-distant  from  both. 
There  is  a  plausible  theory,  which  says  that  the  plain  of  the 
Palatinate  was  formerly  a  lake,  receiving  the  waters  of  the 
Rhine,  and  of  course  discharging  them  by  some  inferior  outlet, 
antil  time,  or  a  convulsion  of  the  earth,  broke  through  the  bar 
rier  of  the  mountains  at  Bingen,  draining  off  the  waters,  and 
leaving  the  fertile  bottom  described.  Irregular  sand-hills  were 
visible,  as  we  approached  Duerckheim,  which  may  go  to  con 
firm  this  supposition,  for  the  prevalence  of  northerly  winds 
might  easily  have  cast  more  of  these  light  particles  on  the 


XVI  INTRODUCTION    TO 

south-western  than  on  the  opposite  shore.  By  adding  that  the 
eastern  face  of  the  mountains,  or  that  next  to  the  plain,  is  suf 
ficiently  broken  and  irregular  to  be  beautiful,  while  it  is  always 
distinctly  marked  and  definite,  enough  has  been  said  to  enable 
us  to  proceed  with  intelligence. 

It  would  appear  that  one  of  the  passes  that  has  communi 
cated,  from  time  immemorial,  between  the  Rhine  and  the 
country  west  of  the  Vosges,  issues  on  the  plain  through  the 
gorge  near  Duerckheim.  By  following  the  windings  of  the 
valleys,  the  post-road  penetrates,  by  an  easy  ascent,  to  the 
highest  ridge,  and  following  the  water-courses  that  run  into  the 
Moselle,  descends  nearly  as  gradually  into  the  Duchy  of  Deux 
Fonts,  on  the  other  side  of  the  chain.  The  possession  of  this 
pass,  therefore,  in  the  ages  of  lawlessness  and  violence,  was, 
in  itself,  a  title  to  distinction  and  power ;  since  all  who  jour 
neyed  by  it,  lay  in  person  and  effects  more  or  less  at  the  mercy 
of  the  occupant. 

On  quitting  the  town,  my  little  companion  and  myself  im 
mediately  entered  the  gorge.  The  pass  itself  was  narrow, 
but  a  valley  soon  opened  to  the  width  of  a  mile,  out  of  which 
issued  two  or  three  passages,  besides  that  by  which  we  had 
entered,  though  only  one  of  them  preserved  its  character  for 
any  distance.  The  capacity  of  this  valley,  or  basin,  as  it  must 
have  been  when  the  Palatinate  was  a  lake,  is  much  curtailed 
by  an  insulated  mountain,  whose  base,  covering  a  fourth  of  the 
area,  stands  in  its  very  centre,  and  which  doubtless  was  an 
island  when  the  valley  was  a  secluded  bay.  The  summit  of 
this  mountain  or  island-hill  is  level,  of  an  irregularly  oval  form, 
and  contains  some  six  or  eight  acres  of  land.  Here  stand  the 
ruins  of  Limburg,  the  immediate  object  of  our  visit. 

The  ascent  was  exceedingly  rapid,  and  of  several  hundred 
feet;  reddish  free-stone  appeared  everywhere  through  the 
scanty  soil,  the  sun  beat  powerfully  on  the  rocks ;  and  I  was 
beginning  to  weigh  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  pro 
ceeding,  when  the  tailor  approached,  with  the  zeal  of  new-born 
courage. 

"  Voici  Christian  Kinzel !"  exclaimed ,  to  whom  nov 
elty  was  always  an  incentive,  and  who,  in  his  young  life,  had 
eagerly  mounted  Alp  and  Apennine,  Jura  and  Calabrian  hill. 


THE    HEIDEXMAUER.  XV11 

tower,  monument,  and  dome,  or  whatever  else  served  to  raise 
him  in  the  air;  "Allons, — grimpons!" 

We  scrambled  up  the  hill-side,  and,  winding  among  terracea 
on  which  the  vine  and  vegetables  were  growing,  soon  reached 
the  natural  platform.  There  was  a  noble  view  from  the  sum 
mit,  but  it  would  be  premature  to  describe  it  here.  The  whole 
surface  of  the  hill  furnished  evidence  of  the  former  extent  of 
the  Abbey,  a  wall  having  encircled  the  entire  place  ;  but  the 
principal  edifices  had  been  built,  and  still  remained,  near  the 
longitudinal  centre,  on  the  very  margin  of  the  eastern  preci 
pice.  Enough  was  standing  to  prove  the  ancient  magnificence 
of  the  structure.  Unlike  most  of  the  ruins  which  border  the 
Rhine,  the  masonry  was  of  a  workmanlike  kind,  the  walls  be 
ing  not  only  massive,  but  composed  of  the  sand-stone  just  men 
tioned  neatly  hewn,  for  immense  strata  of  the  material  exist 
in  all  this  region.  I  traced  the  chapel,  still  in  tolerable  preser 
vation,  the  refectory,  that  never-failing  solacer  of  monastic  se 
clusion,  several  edifices  apparently  appropriated  to  the  dormi 
tories,  and  some  vestiges  of  the  cloisters.  There  is  also  a 
giddy  tower,  of  an  ecclesiastical  form,  that  sufficiently  serves 
to  give  a  character  to  the  ruins.  It  was  closed,  to  prevent 
idlers  from  incurring  foolish  risks  by  mounting  the  crazy  steps ; 
but  its  having  formerly  been  appropriated  to  the  consecrated 
bells,  was  not  at  all  doubtful.  There  is  also  a  noble  arch  near, 
with  several  of  its  disjointed  stones  menacing  the  head  of  him 
who  ventures  beneath. 

Turning  from  the  ruin,  I  cast  a  look  at  the  surrounding  val 
ley.  Nothing  could  have  been  softer  or  more  lovely  than  the 
near  view.  That  sort  of  necessity,  which  induces  us  to  cherish 
any  stinted  gift,  had  led  the  inhabitants  to  turn  every  foot  of 
the  bottom  land  to  the  best  account.  No  Swiss  Alp  could 
have  been  more  closely  shaved  than  the  meadows  at  my  feet, 
and  a  good  deal  had  been  made  of  two  or  three  rivulets  that 
meandered  among  them.  The  dam  of  a  rustic  mill  threw  back 
the  water  into  a  miniature  lake,  and  some  zealous  admirer  of 
Neptune  had  established  a  beer-house  on  its  banks,  which  was 
dignified  with  the  sign  of  the  "  Anchor !"  But  the  principal 
object  in  the  interior  or  upland  view,  was  the  ruins  of  a  castle, 
that  occupied  a  natural  terrace,  or  rather  the  projection  of  a 
B2 


XV111  INTRODUCTION    TO 

rock,  against  the  side  of  one  of  the  nearest  mountains.  The 
road  passed  immediately  beneath  its  walls,  a  short  arrow-flight 
from  the  battlements,  the  position  having  evidently  been  chosen 
as  the  one  best  adapted  to  command  the  ordinary  route  of  the 
traveller.  I  wanted  no  explanation  from  the  guide  to  know 
that  this  was  the  castle  of  Hartenburg.  It  was  still  more 
massive  than  the  remains  of  the  Abbey,  built  of  the  same  ma 
terial,  and  seemingly  in  different  centuries ;  for  while  one  part 
was  irregular  and  rude,  like  most  of  the  structures  of  the 
middle  ages,  there  were  salient  towers  filled  with  embrasures, 
for  the  use  of  artillery.  One  of  their  guns,  well  elevated,  might 
possibly  have  thrown  its  shot  on  the  platform  of  the  Abbey-hill, 
but  with  little  danger  even  to  the  ruined  walls. 

After  studying  the  different  objects  in  this  novel  and  charm 
ing  scene,  for  an  hour,  I  demanded  of  the  guide  some  account 
of  the  Pagan's  Wall  and  of  the  Devil's  Stone.  Both  were  on 
the  mountain  that  lay  on  the  other  side  of  the  ambitious  little 
lake,  a  long  musket-shot  from  the  Abbey.  It  was  even  possible 
to  see  a  portion  of  the  former,  from  our  present  stand;  and  the 
confused  account  of  the  tailor  only  excited  a  desire  to  see  more. 
We  had  not  come  on,  this  excursion  without  a  fit  supply  of 
road-books  and  maps.  One  of  the  former  was  accidentally  in 
my  pocket,  though  so  little  had  we  expected  anything  extraor 
dinary  on  this  unfrequented  road,  that  as  yet  it  had  not  been 
opened.  On  consulting  its  pages  now,  I  was  agreeably  disap 
pointed  in  finding  that  Duerckheim  and  its  antiquities  had  not 
been  thought  unworthy  of  the  traveller's  especial  attention. 
The  Pagan's  Wall  was  there  stated  to  be  the  spot  in  which 
Attila  passed  the  winter  before  crossing  the  Rhine,  in  his  cele 
brated  inroad  against  the  capital  of  the  civilized  world,  though 
its  origin  was  referred  to  his  enemies  themselves.  In  short,  it 
was  believed  to  be  the  remains  of  a  Roman  camp,  one  of  those 
advanced  works  of  the  empire,  by  which  the  Barbarians  were 
held  in  check,  and  of  which  the  Hun  had  casually  and  pru 
dently  availed  himself,  in  his  progress  south.  The  Devil's  Stone 
was  described  as  a  natural  rock,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  encamp 
ment,  on  which  the  Pagans  had  offered  sacrifices.  Of  course 
the  liberated  limbs  of  the  guide  were  put  in  requisition,  to  con- 


THE    HEIDENMAUER.  xlx 

duct  us  to  a  spot  that  contained  curiosities  so  worthy  of  even 
his  exertions. 

As  we  descended  the  mountain  of  Limburg,  Christian  Kinzei 
lighted  the  way,  by  relating  the  opinions  of  the  country,  con 
cerning  the  places  we  had  seen  and  were  about  to  see.     It 
would  appear  by  this  legend,  that  when  the  pious  monks 
were  planning  their  monastery,  a  compact  was  made  with  the 
Devil  to  quarry  the  stones  necessary  for  so  extensive  a  work, 
and  to  transport  them  up  the  steep  acclivity.     The  induce 
ment  held  forth  to  the  evil  spirit,  for  undertaking  a  worK  of 
this  nature,  was  the  pretence  of  erecting  a  tavern,  in  which, 
doubtless,  undue  quantities  of  Rhenish  wine  were  to  be  quaff 
ed,  cheating  human  reason,  and  leaving  the  undefended  soul 
more  exposed  to  the  usual  assaults  of  temptation.     It  would 
eeem,  by  the  legends  of  the  Rhine,  that  the  monks  often  suc 
ceeded  in  outwitting  the  arch  foe  in  this  sort  of  compact,  though 
perhaps  never  with  more  signal  success  than  in  the  bargain  in 
question.     Completely  deceived  by  the  artifices  of  the  men  of 
God,  the  father  of  sin  lent  himself  to  the  project  with  so  much 
zeal,  that  the  Abbey  and  its  appendages  were  completed  in  a 
time  incredibly  short ;  a  circumstance  that  his  employers  took 
good  care  to  turn  to  account,  after  their  own  fashion,  by  as 
cribing  it  to  a  miracle  of  purer  emanation.     By  all  accounts 
the  deception  was  so  well  managed,  that  notwithstanding  his 
proverbial  cunning,  the  Devil  never  knew  the  true  destination 
of  the  edifice  until  the  Abbey-bell  actually  rang  for  prayers. 
Then,  indeed,  his  indignation  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  proceed 
ed  forthwith  to  the  rock  in  question,  with  the  fell  intent  of 
bringing  it  into  the  air  above  the  chapel,  and,  by  its  fall,  of  im 
molating  the  monks  and  their  altar  together,  to  his  vengeance. 
But  the  stone  was  too  firmly  rooted  to  be  displaced  even  by  the 
Devil ;  and  he  was  finally  compelled,  by  the  prayers  of  the 
devotees,  who  were  now,  after  their  own  fashion  of  fighting, 
fairly  in  the  field,  to  abandon  this  portion  of  the  country  in 
shame  and  disgrace.    The  curious  are  shown  certain  marks  on 
the  rock,  which  go  to  prove  the  violent  efforts  of  Satan,  on  this 
occasion,  and  among  others  the  prints  of  his  form,  left  by  seat 
ing  himself  on  the  stone,  fatigued  by  useless  exertions.     Tho 
more  ingenious  even  trace,  in  a  sort  of  groove,  evidence  of  the 


XX  INTRODCCTION    TO 

position  of  his  tail,  during-  the  time  the  baffled  spirit  was  chew* 
ing  the  cud  of  chagrin  on  his  hard  stool. 

We  were  at  the  foot  of  the  second  mountain  when  Chris 
tian  Kinzel  ended  this  explanation. 

"And  such  is  your  Deurckheim  tradition  concerning  the 
Devil's  Stone  ?"  I  remarked,  measuring  the  ascent  with  the 
iight. 

"  Such  is  what  is  said  in  the  country,  mein  Herr,"  returned 
the  tailor ;  "  but  there  are  people,  hereabouts,  who  do  not  be 
lieve  it." 

My  little  travelling  companion  laughed,  and  his  eyes  danced 
with  expectation. 

" Allons,  grimpons !"  he  cried  again — "Aliens  voir  ce  Teu- 
felstein !" 

In  a  suitable  time  we  were  in  the  camp.  It  lay  on  an  ad 
vanced  spur  of  the  mountain,  a  sort  of  salient  bastion  made  by 
nature,  and  was  completely  protected  on  every  side,  but  that 
at  which  it  was  joined  to  the  mass,  by  declivities  so  steep  as  to 
be  even  descended  with  some  pain.  There  was  the  ruin  of  a 
circular  wall,  half  a  league  in  extent,  the  stones  lying  in  a 
confused  pile  around  the  whole  exterior,  and  many  vestiges  of 
foundations  and  intersecting  walls  within.  The  whole  area 
was  covered  with  a  young  growth  of  dark  and  melancholy 
cedars.  On  the  face  exposed  to  the  adjoining  mountain,  there 
had  evidently  been  the  additional  protection  of  a  ditch. 

The  Teufelstein  was  a  thousand  feet  from  the  camp.  It  is 
a  weather-worn  rock,  that  shows  its  bare  head  from  a  high 
point  in  the  more  advanced  ranges  of  the  hills.  I  took  a  seat 
on  its  most  elevated  pinnacle,  and  for  a  moment  the  pain  of 
the  ascent  was  forgotten. 

The  plain  of  the  Palatinate,  far  as  eye  could  reach,  lay  in 
the  view.  Here  and  there  the  Rhine  and  the  Neckar  glittered, 
like  sheets  of  silver,  among  the  verdure  of  the  fields,  and 
tower  of  city  and  of  town,  of  Manheim,  Spires,  and  Worms, 
of  nameless  villages,  and  of  German  residences,  were  as 
plenty  in  the  scene,  as  tombs  upon  the  Appian  Way.  A  dozen 
gray  ruins  clung  against  the  sides  of  the  mountains  of  Baden 
and  Darmstadt,  while  the  castle  of  Heidelberg  was  visible,  in 
its  romantic  glen,  sombre,  courtly,  and  magnificent.  The  land- 


THE   HEIDEffMAUER.  XXl 

scape  was  German,  and  in  its  artificial  parts  slightly  Gothic ; 
it  wanted  the  warm  glow,  the  capricious  outlines,  and  seductive 
beauty  of  Italy,  and  the  grandeur  of  the  Swiss  valleys  and 
glaciers ;  but  it  was  the  perfection  of  fertility  and  industry 
embellished  by  a  crowd  of  useful  objects. 

It  was  easy  for  one  thus  placed,  to  fancy  himself  surrounded 
by  so  many  eloquent  memorials  of  the  progress  of  civilization, 
of  the  infirmities  and  constitution,  of  the  growth  and  ambition 
of  the  human  mind.  The  rack  recalled  the  age  of  furious 
superstition  and  debased  ignorance — the  time  when  the  country 
lay  in  forest,  over  which  the  hunter  ranged  at  will,  contending 
with  the  beast  for  the  mastery  of  his  savage  domain.  Still  the 
noble  creature  bore  the  image  of  God,  and  occasionally  some 
master  mind  pierced  the  shades,  catching  glimpses  of  that 
eternal  truth  which  pervades  Nature.  Then  followed  the 
Roman,  with  his  gods  of  plausible  attributes,  his  ingenious  and 
specious  philosophy,  his  accumulated  and  borrowed  art,  his 
concerted  and  overwhelming  action,  his  love  of  magnificence, 
so  grand  in  its  effects,  but  so  sordid  and  unjust  hi  its  means, 
and  last,  the  most  impressive  of  all,  that  beacon-like  ambition 
which  wrecked  his  hopes  on  the  sea  of  its  vastness,  with  the 
evidence  of  the  falsity  of  his  system  as  furnished  in  his  fall. 
The  memorial  before  me  showed  the  means  by  which  he  gain 
ed  and  lost  his  power.  The  Barbarian  had  been  taught,  in 
the  bitter  school  of  experience,  to  regain  his  rights,  and  in  the 
excitement  of  the  moment,  it  was  not  difficult  to  imagine  the 
Huns  pouring  into  the  camp,  and  calculating  their  chances  of 
success,  by  the  vestiges  they  found  of  the  ingenuity  and  re 
sources  of  their  foes. 

The  confusion  of  misty  images  that  succeeded  was  an  apt 
emblem  of  the  next  age.  Out  of  this  obscurity,  after  the  long 
and  glorious  reign  of  Charlemagne,  arose  the  baronial  castle, 
with  feudal  violence  and  its  progeny  of  wrongs.  Then  came 
the  abbey,  an  excrescence  of  that  mild  and  suffering  religion, 
which  had  appeared  on  earth,  like  a  ray  of  the  sun,  eclipsing 
the  factitious  brilliancy  of  a  scene  from  which  natural  light 
had  been  excluded  for  a  substitute  of  a  meretricious  and  de 
ceptive  quality.  Here  arose  the  long  and  selfish  strife,  be 
tween  antagonist  principles,  that  has  not  yet  ceased.  The 


INTRODUCTION    TO 

struggle  was  between  the  power  of  knowledge  and  that  of 
physical  force.  The  former,  neither  pure  nor  perfect,  descend 
ed  to  subterfuge  and  deceit ;  while  the  latter  vacillated  be 
tween  the  dread  of  unknown  causes,  and  the  love  of  domina 
tion.  Monk  and  baron  came  in  collision;  this  secretly  dis 
trusting  the  faith  he  professed,  and  that  trembling  at  the  con 
sequences  of  the  blow  which  his  own  sword  had  given ;  the  fruits 
of  too  much  knowledge  in  one,  and  of  too  little  in  the  other, 
while  both  were  the  prey  of  those  incessant  and  unwearied 
enemies  of  the  race,  the  greedy  passions. 

A  laugh  from  the  child  drew  my  attention  to  the  foot  of  the 
rock.  He  and  Christian  Kinzel  had  just  settled,  to  their  mutual 
satisfaction,  the  precise  position  that  had  been  occupied  by  the 
Devil's  tail.  A  more  suitable  emblem  of  his  country  than  that 
boy,  could  not  have  been  found  on  the  whole  of  its  wide  surface. 
As  secondary  to  the  predominant  English  or  Saxon  stock,  the 
blood  of  France,  Sweden,  and  Holland  ran,  in  nearly  equal 
currents,  in  his  veins.  He  had  not  far  to  seek,  to  find  among 
his  ancestors  the  peaceful  companion  of  Penn,  the  Huguenot, 
the  Cavalier,  the  Presbyterian,  the  follower  of  Luther  and  of 
Calvin.  Chance  had  even  deepened  the  resemblance ;  for,  a 
wanderer  from  infancy,  he  now  blended  languages  in  merry 
comments  on  his  recent  discovery.  The  train  of  thought  that 
his  appearance  suggested  was  natural.  It  embraced  the  long 
and  mysterious  concealment  of  so  vast  a  portion  of  the  earth 
as  America,  from  the  acquaintance  of  civilized  man ;  its  dis 
covery  and  settlement ;  the  manner  in  which  violence  and  per 
secution,  civil  wars,  oppression  and  injustice,  had  thrown  men 
of  all  nations  upon  its  shores ;  the  effects  of  this  collision  of 
customs  and  opinions,  unenthralled  by  habits  and  laws  of  selfish 
origin ;  the  religious  and  civil  liberty  that  followed ;  the  novel 
but  irrefutable  principle  on  which  its  government  was  based , 
the  silent  working  of  its  example  in  the  two  hemispheres,  one 
of  which  had  already  imitated  the  institutions  that  the  other 
was  struggling  to  approach,  and  all  the  immense  results  that 
were  dependent  on  this  inscrutable  and  grand  movement  of 
Providence.  I  know  not  indeed  but  my  thoughts  might  have 
approached  the  sublime,  had  not  Christian  Kinzel  interrupted 
them,  by  pointing  out  the  spot  where  the  Devil  had  kicked  the 
stone,  in  his  anger. 


THE    HEIDENMAUER.  XX111 

Descending  from  the  perch,  we  took  the  path  to  Deurck- 
ceim.  As  we  came  down  the  mountain,  the  tailor  had  many 
philosophical  remarks  to  make,  that  were  chiefly  elicited  by 
the  forlorn  condition  of  one  who  had  much  toil  and  little  food. 
In  his  view  of  things,  labor  was  too  cheap,  and  wine  and  po 
tatoes  were  too  dear.  To  what  depth  he  might  have  pushed 
reflections  bottomed  on  principles  so  natural,  it  is  impossible  to 
say,  had  not  the  boy  started  some  doubts  concerning  the  re 
puted  length  of  the  Devil's  tail.  He  had  visited  the  Jardin 
des  Plantes  at  Paris,  seen  the  kangaroos  in  the  Zoological 
Garden  in  London,  and  was  familiar  with  the  inhabitants  of  a 
variety  of  caravans  encountered  at  Rome,  Naples,  Dresden, 
and  other  capitals ;  with  the  bears  of  Berne  he  had  actually 
been  on  the  familiar  terms  of  a  friendly  visiting  acquaintance. 
Having  also  some  vague  ideas  of  the  analogies  of  things,  he 
could  not  recall  any  beast  so  amply  provided  with  such  an 
elongation  of  the  dorsal  bone,  as  was  to  be  inferred  from 
Christian  Kinzel's  gutter  in  the  Teufelstein.  During  the  dis 
cussion  of  this  knotty  point,  we  reached  the  inn. 

The  host  of  the  Ox  had  deceived  us  in  nothing.  The  viands 
were  excellent,  and  abundant  to  prodigality.  The  bottle  of  old 
Deurckheimer  might  well  have  passed  for  Johannisberger,  or 
for  that  still  more  deliciolis  liquor,  Steinberger,  at  London  or 
New-York;  and  the  simple  and  sincere  civility  with  which 
every  thing  was  served,  gave  a  zest  to  all. 

It  would  have  been  selfish  to  recruit  nature,  without 
thought  of  the  tailor,  after  so  many  hours  of  violent  exercise 
in  the  keen  air  of  the  mountains.  He  too  had  his  cup  and  his 
viands,  and  when  both  were  invigorated  by  these  natural 
means,  we  held  a  conference,  to  which  the  worthy  post-master 
was  admitted. 

The  following  pages  are  the  offspring  of  the  convocation 
held  in  the  parlor  of  the  Ox.  Should  any  musty  German  an 
tiquary  discover  some  immaterial  anachronism,  a  name  mis 
placed  in  the  order  of  events,  or  a  monk  called  prematurely 
from  purgatory,  he  is  invited  to  wreak  his  just  indignation  on 
Christian  Kinzel,  whose  body  and  soul  may  St.  Benedict  of 
Limburg  protect,  for  evermore,  against  all  critics. 


THE   HEIDENMATJER, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Stand  you  both  forth  now ;  stroke  your  chins,  and  swear  by  yeut 
beards  that  I  am  a  knave. As  You  Like  It, 

THE  reader  must  imagine  a  narrow  and  secluded 
valley,  for  the  opening  scene  of  this  tale.  The  time 
was  that  in  which  the  day  loses  its  power,  casting 
a  light  on  objects  most  exposed,  that  resembles 
colors  seen  through  glass  slightly  stained ;  a  pecu 
liarity  of  the  atmosphere,  which,  though  almost  of 
daily*  occurrence  in  summer  and  autumn,  is  the 
source  of  constant  enjoyment  to  the  real  lover  of 
nature.  The  hue  meant  is  not  a  sickly  yellow,  but 
rather  a  soft  and  melancholy  glory,  that  lends  to 
the  hill-side  and  copse,  to  tree  and  tower,  to  stream 
and  lawn,  those  tinges  of  surpassing  loveliness  that 
impart  to  the  close  of  day  its  proverbial  and 
soothing  charm.  The  setting  sun  touched  with 
oblique  rays  a  bit  of  shaven  meadow,  that  lay  in  a 
dell  so  deep  as  to  owe  this  parting  smile  of  nature 
to  an  accidental  formation  of  the  neighboring  em 
inences,  a  distant  mountain  crest,  that  a  flock  had 
cropped  and  fertilized,  a  rippling  current  that  glided 
in  the  bottom,  a  narrow  beaten  path,  more  worn  by 
hoof  than  wheel,  and  a  vast  range  of  forest,  that 
swelled  and  receded  from  the  view,  covering  leagues 
of  a  hill-chase,  that  even  tradition  had  never  peopled. 
The  spot  was  seemingly  as  retired  as  if  it  had  been 
chosen  in  one  of  our  own  solitudes  of  the  wilderness 
C 


26  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

while  it  was,  in  fact,  near  the  centre  of  Europe,  and 
in  the  sixteenth  century.  But,  notwithstanding  the 
absence  of  dwellings,  and  all  the  other  signs  of  the 
immediate  presence  of  man,  together  with  the 
wooded  character  of  the  scene,  an  American  eye 
would  not  have  been  slow  to  detect  its  distinguish 
ing  features,  from  those  which  mark  the  wilds  of 
this  country.  The  trees,  though  preserved  with 
care,  and  flourishing,  wanted  the  moss  of  ages,  the 
high  and  rocking  summit,  the  variety  and  natural 
wildness  of  the  western  forest.  No  mouldering 
trunk  lay  where  it  had  fallen,  no  branch  had  been 
twisted  by  the  gale  and  forgotten,  nor  did  any  up 
turned  root  betray  the  indifference  of  man  to  the 
decay  of  this  important  part  of  vegetation.  Here 
and  there,  a  species  of  broom,  such  as  is  seen  occa 
sionally  on  the  mast-heads  of  ships,  was  erected 
above  some  tall  member  of  the  woods  that  stood  on 
an  elevated  point ;  land-marks  which  divided  the 
rights  of  those  who  were  entitled  to  cut  and  clip ; 
the  certain  evidence  that  man  had  long  before  ex 
tended  his  sway  over  these  sombre  hills,  and  that, 
retired  as  they  seemed,  they  were  actually  subject 
to  all  the  divisions,  and  restraints,  and  vexations, 
which,  in  peopled  regions,  accompany  the  rights  of 
property. 

For  an  hour  preceding  the  opening  of  our  tale, 
not  a  sound  of  any  nature,  beyond  that  of  a  mur 
muring  brook,  had  disturbed  the  quiet  of  the  silent 
little  valley,  if  a  gorge  so  narrow,  and  in  truth  so 
wild,  deserved  the  name.  There  was  not  even  a 
bird  fluttering  among  the  trees,  nor  a  hawk  soaring 
above  the  heights.  Once,  and  for  a  minute  only 
did  a  roebuck  venture  from  its  cover,  and  descend 
to  the  rivulet  to  drink.  The  animal  had  not  alto 
gether  the  elastic  bound,  the  timid  and  irresolute 
movement,  nor  the  wandering  eye  of  our  own  deer, 
but  it  was  clearly  an  inhabitant  of  a  forest ;  foi 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  27 

while  it  in  some  degree  confided  in  the  protection, 
it  also  distrusted  the  power  of  man.  No  sooner  was 
its  thirst  assuaged,  than  listening  with  the  keenness 
of  an  instinct  that  no  circumstances  of  accidental 
condition  could  destroy,  it  went  up  the  acclivity 
again,  and  sought  its  cover  with  troubled  steps.  At 
the  same  instant,  a  grayhound  leaped  from  among 
the  trees,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  gorge,  into  the 
path,  and  began  bounding  back  and  forth,  in  the 
well-known  manner  of  that  species  of  dog,  when 
exercising  in  restlessness,  rather  than  engaged  in 
the  hot  strife  of  the  chase.  A  whistle  called  the 
hound  back  from  its  gambols,  and  its  master  entered 
the  path. 

A  cap  of  green  velvet,  bearing  a  hunting-horn 
above  the  shade,  a  coarse  but  neat  frock  of  similar 
color,  equally  ornamented  with  the  same  badge  of 
office,  together  with  the  instrument  itself  suspended 
from  a  shoulder,  and  the  arms  usual  to  one  of  that 
class,  denoted  a  forester,  or  an  individual  charged 
with  the  care  of  the  chase,  and  otherwise  intrusted 
with  a  jurisdiction  in  the  forest  ;  functions  that 
would  be  much  degraded  by  the  use  of  the  abused 
and  familiar  term  of  gamekeeper. 

The  forester  was  young,  active,  and,  notwith 
standing  the  rudeness  of  his  attire,  of  a  winning  ex 
terior.  Laying  his  fusee  against  the  root  of  a  tree, 
he  whistled  in  the  dog,  and  renewing  the  call,  by 
means  of  a  shrill  instrument  that  was  carried  for 
that  purpose,  he  soon  succeeded  in  bringing  its  fel 
low  to  his  side.  Coupling  the  grayhounds  in  a  leash, 
which  he  attached  to  his  own  person,  he  threw  the 
horn  from  its  noose,  and  blew  a  lively  and  short 
strain,  that  rolled  up  the  valley  in  mellow  and  melo 
dious  notes.  When  the  instrument  was  removed 
from  his  lips,  the  youth  listened  till  the  last  of  the 
distant  echoes  was  done,  as  if  expecting  some  reply. 
He  was  not  disappointed.  Presently  an  answering 


28  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

blast  came  down  the  gorge,  ringing  among  the 
woods,  and  causing  the  hearts  of  many  of  its  ten 
ants  to  beat  quick  and  fearfully.  The  sounds  of  the 
unseen  instrument  were  far  more  shrill  and  wild 
than  those  of  the  hunting  horn,  while  they  wanted 
not  for  melancholy  sweetness.  They  appeared  both 
familiar  and  intelligible  to  the  young  forester,  who 
no  sooner  heard  them,  than  he  slung  the  horn  in  its 
usual  turn  of  the  cord,  resumed  the  fusee,  and  stood 
in  an  attitude  of  expectation. 

It  might  have  been  a  minute  before  another  youth 
appeared  in  the  path,  higher  in  the  gorge,  and  ad 
vancing  slowly  towards  the  forester.  His  dress 
was  rustic,  and  altogether  that  of  a  peasant,  while 
in  his  hand  he  held  a  long,  straight,  narrow  tube  oi 
cherry  wood,  firmly  wrapped  with  bark,  having  a 
mouth-piece  and  a  small  bell  at  the  opposite  end, 
resembling  those  of  a  trumpet.  As  he  came  forward, 
his  face  was  not  without  an  expression  of  ill  humor, 
though  it  was  rather  rendered  comic  than  grave,  by 
a  large  felt  hat,  the  front  rim  of  which  fell  in  an 
enormous  shade  above  his  eyes,  rendering  the  trim 
cock  in  the  rear,  ludicrously  pretending.  His  legs, 
like  those  of  the  forester,  were  encased  in  a  sort  of 
leathern  hose,  that  left  the  limbs  naked  and  free 
below  the  knee,  while  the  garment  above  set  so 
loosely  and  unbuttoned  above  that  important  joint, 
as  to  offer  no  restraint  to  his  movements. 

"  Thou  art  behind  thy  time,  Gottlob,"  said  the 
young  forester,  as  the  boor  approached,  "  and  the 
good  hermit  will  not  give  us  better  welcome  for 
keeping  him  from  prayer.  What  has  become  of 
thy  herd  ?" 

"  That  may  the  holy  man  of  the  Heidenmauer 
declare,  for  it  is  more  than  I  could  answer  were 
Lord  Emich  himself  to  put  the  question,  and  say,  in 
the  manner  he  is  wont  to  use  to  the  Abbot  of  Lira 
burg — what  hath  become  of  thy  herd  Gottlob  V9 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  29 

"Nay,  this  is  no  trifling  matter,  if  thou  hast,  in 
sooth,  let  the  cattle  stray !  Where  hadst  thou  the 
beasts  last  in  sight  ?" 

"  Here  in  the  forest  of  Hartenburg,  Master 
Berchthold,  on  the  honor  of  an  humble  servitor  of 
the  Count." 

"  Thou  wilt  yet  lose  this  service,  Gottlob,  by  thy 
carelessness  !" 

"  It  would  be  a  thousand  pities  were  thy  words 
to  be  true,  for  in  that  case  Lord  Emich  would  lose 
the  honestest  cow-herd  in  Germany,  and  it  would 
go  near  to  break  my  heart  were  the  friars  of  Lim- 
burg  to  get  him  !  But  the  beasts  cannot  be  far,  and 
I  will  try  the  virtue  of  the  horn  once  more,  before  I 
go  home  to  a  broken  head  and  a  discharge.  Dost 
thou  know,  Master  Berchthold,  that  the  disgrace  of 
which  thou  speakest  never  yet  befell  any  of  my 
family,  and  we  have  been  keepers  of  cattle  longer 
than  the  Friedrichs  have  been  electors  !" 

The  forester  made  an  impatient  gesture,  patted 
his  hounds,  and  waited  for  the  effects  of  the  new 
blast,  that  his  companion  was  by  this  time  preparing 
to  sound.  The  manner  of  Gottlob  was  that  of  en 
tire  confidence  in  his  own  knowledge  of  his  calling, 
for  notwithstanding  his  words,  his  countenance  at 
no  time  betrayed  uneasiness  for  the  fate  of  his  trust. 
The  valley  was  soon  ringing  with  the  wild  and 
plaintive  tones  of  the  cherry-wood  horn,  the  hind 
taking  care  to  give  the  strains  those  intonations, 
wnich,  by  a  mute  convention,  had  from  time  im 
memorial  been  understood  as  the  signal  for  collect 
ing  a  lost  herd.  His  skill  and  faith  were  soon  re 
warded,  for  cow  after  cow  came  leaping  out  of  the 
forest,  as  he  blew  his  air,  and  ere  long  the  necessary 
number  of  animals  were  in  the  path,  the  younger 
beasts  frisking  along  the  way,  with  elevated  tails 
and  awkward  bounds,  while  the  more  staid  contrib 
utors  of  the  dairy  hurried  on,  with  business-like  air 
C2 


30  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

but  grave  steps,  as  better  became  their  years  and 
their  characters  in  the  hamlet.  In  a  few  minutes 
they  were  all  collected  around  the  person  of  the 
keeper,  who  having  counted  his  charge,  shouldered 
his  horn,  and  disposed  himself  to  proceed  towards 
the  lower  extremity  of  the  gorge. 

"  Thou  art  lucky  to  have  gotten  the  beasts  to 
gether,  with  so  little  trouble,  Gottlob,"  resumed  the 
forester,  as  they  followed  in  the  train  of  the  herd. 

"  Say  dexterous,  Master  Berchthold,  and  do  not 
fear  to  make  me  vain-glorious.  In  the  way  of  un 
derstanding  my  own  merits  there  is  little  danger  of 
doing  me  harm.  Thou  shouldest  never  discourage 
modesty,  by  an  over-scrupulous  discretion.  It  would 
be  a  village  miracle,  were  a  herd  so  nurtured  m  the 
ways  of  the  church  to  forget  its  duty  !" 

The  forester  laughed,  but  he  looked  aside,  like 
one  who  would  not  see  that  to  which  he  wished  to 
be  blind. 

"  At  thy  old  tricks,  friend  Gottlob  !  Thou  hast 
let  the  beasts  roam  upon  the  range  of  the  friars  !" 

"  I  have  paid  Peter's  pence,  been  to  the  chapel  of 
St.  Benedict  for  prayer,  confessed  to  Father  Arnolph 
himself,  and  all  within  the  month :  what  more  need 
a  man  do,  to  be  in  favor  with  the  Brothers  ?" 

"  I  could  wish  to  know  if  thou  ever  entertainest 
Father  Arnolph  with  the  history  of  thy  visits  to  the 
pastures  of  the  convent,  with  Lord  Emich's  herd, 
honest  Gottlob." 

"  So  !  Dost  thou  fancy,  Master  Berchthold,  that, 
at  a  moment  when  there  is  every  necessity  to  pos 
sess  a  calm  and  contemplative  spirit,  I  should  strive 
to  put  the  pious  monk  in  a  passion,  by  relating  all 
the  antics  of  some  ill-bred  cow,  or  of  a  heifer,  who 
is  as  little  to  be  trusted  without  a  keeper,  as  your 
jung-frau  before  she  reaches  the  years  of  caution  is 
to  be  trusted  at  a  fair  without  her  mother,  or  a 
sharp-sighted  old  aunt,  at  the  very  least !" 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  31 

"Well,  have  a  care,  Gottlob,  for  Lord  Emich 
though  loving  the  friars  so  little,  will  be  apt  to  order 
thee  into  a  dungeon,  on  bread  and  water  for  a 
week,  or  to  make  thy  back  acquainted  with  the  lash, 
should  he  come  to  hear  that  one  of  his  hinds  has 
taken  this  liberty  with  the  rights  of  a  neighbor." 

"  Let  Lord  Emich  then  expel  the  brotherhood 
from  the  richest  pasturage  near  the  Jaegerthal. 
Flesh  and  blood  cannot  bear  to  see  the  beasts  of  a 
noble  digging  into  the  earth  with  their  teeth,  after 
a  few  bitter  herbs,  while  the  carrion  of  a  convent 
are  rolling  the  finest  and  sweetest  grasses  over  their 
tongues.  Look  you,  Master  Berchthold,  these  friars 
of  Limburg  eat  the  fattest  venison,  drink  the  warm 
est  wine,  and  say  the  shortest  prayers  of  any  monks 
in  Christendom  !  Potz-Tausend  !  There  are  some 
who  accuse  them,  too,  of  shriving  the  prettiest 
girls !  As  for  bread  and  water,  and  a  dungeon,  I 
know  from  experience  that  neither  of  the  remedies 
agrees  with  a  melancholy  constitution,  and  I  defy 
the  Emperor,  or  even  the  Holy  Father  himself,  to 
work  such  a  miracle,  as  to  make  back  of  mine 
acquainted  with  the  lash." 

"  Simply  because  the  introduction  hath  long  since 
had  place." 

"  That  is  thy  interpretation  of  the  matter,  Master 
Berchthold,  and  I  wish  thee  joy  of  a  quick  wit. 
But  we  are  getting  beyond  the  limits  of  the  forest, 
and  we  will  dismiss  the  question  to  another  conver 
sation.  The  beasts  are  full,  and  will  not  disappoint 
the  dairy  girls,  and  little  matters  it  whence  the 
nourishment  comes — Lord  Emich's  pastures  or  a 
churchly  miracle.  Thou  hast  hunted  *  the  dogs 
.ightly  to-day,  Berchthold  ?" 

"  I  have  had  them  on  the  mountains  for  air  and 
movement.  They  got  away  on  the  heels  of  a  roe 
buck,  for  a  short  run,  but  as  all  the  game  in  this 


32  THE  HEIDENMAUER, 

chase  belongs  to  our  master,  I  did  not  see  fit  to  }&' 
them  go  faster  than  there  was  need." 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  thee  say  it,  for  I  count  upon 
thy  company  in  climbing  the  mountain  when  our 
work  is  ended  ;  thy  legs  will  only  be  the  fresher  for 
the  toil." 

"  Thou  hast  my  word,  and  I  will  not  fail  thee ;  in 
order  that  no  time  be  lost,  we  will  part  here  to  meet 
again  in  the  hamlet" 

The  forester  and  the  cow-herd  made  signs  of 
leave-taking,  and  separated.  The  former  quitted 
the  public  road,  turning  short  to  the  right  by  a  pri 
vate  way,  which  led  him  across  narrow  meadows, 
and  the  little  river  that  glided  among  them,  towards 
the  foot  of  the  opposite  mountain.  Gottlob  held  on 
his  course  to  a  hamlet  that  was  now  visible,  and 
which  completely  filled  a  narrow  pass  in  the  valley, 
at  a  point  where  the  latter  made  a  turn,  nearly  at  a 
right  angle  with  its  general  direction. 

The  path  of  the  former  led  him  to  an  habitation 
very  different  from  the  rude  dwellings  towards 
which  the  steps  of  the  cow-herd  tended.  A  massive 
castle  occupied  a  projecting  point  of  the  mountain, 
overhanging  the  cluster  of  houses  in  the  gorge,  and 
frowning  upon  all  that  attempted  the  pass.  The 
structure  was  a  vast  but  irregular  pile.  The  more 
modern  parts  were  circular  salient  towers,  that  were 
built  upon  the  uttermost  verge  of  the  rock,  from 
whose  battlements  it  would  not  have  been  difficult 
to  cast  a  stone  into  the  road,  and  which  denoted 
great  attention  to  strength  in  their  masonry,  while 
beauty  of  form  and  of  workmanship,  as  they  were 
understood  at  the  period  of  which  we  write,  were 
not  entirely  neglected.  These  towers,  though  large, 
were  mere  appendages  to  the  main  building,  which, 
seen  from  the  position  now  before  the  mind  of  the 
reader,  presented  a  confused  maze  of  walls,  chim 
neys,  and  roofs.  In  some  places,  the  former  rose 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  33 

from  the  greensward  which  covered  the  hill-side ; 
while  in  others,  advantage  had  been  taken  of  the 
living  rock,  which  was  frequently  so  blended  with 
the  pile  it  supported,  both  being  of  the  same  reddish 
free-stone,  that  it  was  not  easy  at  the  first  glance  to 
say,  what  had  been  done  by  nature  and  what  by  art. 

The  path  of  the  forester  led  from  the  valley  up 
the  mountain,  by  a  gradual  and  lateral  ascent  to  a 
huge  gate,  that  opened  beneath  a  high  arch,  com 
municating  with  a  court  within.  On  this  side  of  the 
castle  there  was  neither  ditch,  nor  bridge,  nor  any 
other  of  the  usual  defences,  beyond  a  portcullis,  for 
the  position  of  the  hold  rendered  these  precautions 
in  a  measure  unnecessary.  Still  great  care  had 
been  taken  to  prevent  a  surprise,  and  it  would  have 
required  a  sure  foot,  a  steady  head,  and  vigorous 
limbs,  to  have  effected  an  entrance  into  the  edifice, 
)y  any  other  passage  than  its  gate. 

When  Berchthold  reached  the  little  terrace  that 
ay  before  the  portal,  he  loosened  his  horn,  and, 
standing  on  the  verge  of  the  precipice,  blew  a  hunt 
ing  strain,  apparently  in  glee.  The  music  echoed 
among  the  hills  as  suited  the  spot,  and  more  than 
one  crone  of  the  hamlet  suspended  her  toil,  in  dull 
admiration,  to  listen  to  its  wild  effect.  Replacing 
the  instrument,  the  youth  spoke  to  his  hounds  and 
passed  beneath  the  portcullis,  which  happened  to  be 
raised  at  the  moment 


34  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTER  II. 

4  What  sayest  thou  to  a  hare,  or  the  melancholy  of  moor-ditch  ?" 

King  Henry  IV. 

THE  light  had  nearly  disappeared  from  the  gorge, 
in  which  the  hamlet  of  Hartenburg  lay,  when 
Berchthold  descended  from  the  castle,  by  a  path 
different  from  that  by  which  he  had  entered  it  an 
hour  before,  and  crossing  the  rivulet  by  a  bridge  of 
stone,  he  ascended  the  opposite  bank  into  the  street, 
or  rather  the  road.  The  young  forester  having 
kennelled  the  hounds,  had  laid  aside  his  leash  and 
fusee,  but  he  still  kept  the  horn  suspended  from  his 
shoulder.  At  his  side,  too,  he  carried  a  couteau-de- 
chasse,  a  useful  instrument  of  defence  in  that  age 
and  country,  as  well  as  a  weapon  he  was  entitled 
to  carry,  in  virtue  of  his  office  under  the  Count  of 
Lienengen-Hartenburg,  the  master  of  the  hold  he 
had  just  quitted,  and  the  feudal  lord  of  most  of  the 
adjoining  mountains,  as  well  as  of  sundry  villages 
on  the  plain  of  the  Palatinate.  It  would  seem  that 
the  cow-herd  expected  his  associate,  or  perhaps  we 
might  venture  to  call  him  friend,  for  such  in  truth 
did  he  appear  to  be,  by  the  easy  terms  on  which 
they  met.  Gottlob  was  in  waiting  near  the  cottage 
of  his  mother,  and  when  the  two  joined  each  other 
they  communicated  by  a  sign,  and  proceeded  with 
swift  steps,  leaving  the  cluster  of  houses. 

Immediately  on  quitting  the  hamlet,  the  valley 
expanded,  and  took  that  character  of  fertility  and 
cultivation,  which  has  been  described  to  the  reader 
in  the  Introduction ;  for  all  who  have  perused  that 
opening  and  necessary  preface  to  our  labors,  will  at 
once  recognize  that  the  two  youths  introduced  to 
their  acquaintance,  were  now  in  the  mountain  basin 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  35 

which  contained  the  Abbey  of  Limburg.  But  three 
centuries,  while  they  have  effected  little  in  altering 
the  permanent  features  of  the  place,  have  wrought 
essential  changes  in  those  which  were  more  perish 
able. 

As  the  young  men  moved  swiftly  on,  the  first  rays 
of  the  moon  touched  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  and 
ere  they  had  gone  a  mile,  always  holding  the  direc 
tion  of  the  pass  which  communicated  with  the  val 
ley  of  the  Rhine,  the  towrers  and  roofs  of  the  Abbey 
itself  were  illuminated.  The  conventual  buildings 
were  then  perfect,  resembling,  by  their  number  and 
confusion,  the  grouping  of  some  village,  while  a 
strong  and  massive  wall  encircled  the  entire  brow 
of  the  isolated  hill.  The  construction  resembled 
one  of  those  warlike  ecclesiastical  princes  of  the 
middle  ages,  who  wore  armor  beneath  the  stole ;  for 
while  the  towers  and  painted  windows,  the  pious 
memorials  and  votive  monuments,  denoted  the  ob 
jects  of  the  establishment,  the  defences  betrayed 
that  as  much  dependence  was  placed  on  human  as 
on  other  means,  for  the  protection  of  those  who 
composed  the  brotherhood. 

"  There  is  a  moon  for  a  monk  as  well  as  for  a 
cow-herd,  it  would  seem,"  observed  Gottlob,  speak 
ing  however  in  a  voice  subdued  nearly  to  a  whis 
per.  "  There  comes  the  light  upon  the  high  tower 
of  the  Abbey,  and  presently  it  will  be  glistening  on 
the  bald  head  of  every  straggler  of  the  convent, 
who  is  abroad  tasting  the  last  vintage,  or  otherwise 
prying  into  the  affairs  of  some  burgher  of  Deurck- 
heim  !" 

"  Thou  hast  not  much  reverence  for  the  pious 
fathers,  honest  Gottlob ;  for  it  is  seldom  thou  lettest 
opportunity  pass  to  do  them  an  ill  turn,  with  tongue 
or  hungry  beast." 

"Look  you,  Berchthold,  we  vassals  are  little 
more  than  so  much  clear  water  in  which  our  master 


36  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

may  see  his  own  countenance,  and  at  need  his  own 
humors.  Whenever  Lord  Emich  has  a  sincere  ha 
tred  for  man  or  horse,  dog  or  cat,  town  or  village, 
monk  or  count,  I  know  not  why  it  is  so,  but  I  feel 
my  own  choler  rise,  until  I  am  both  ready  and  will 
ing  to  strike  when  he  striketh,  to  curse  when  he 
curseth,  and  even  to  kill  when  he  killeth." 

"  'Tis  a  good  temper  for  a  servitor,  but  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  for  the  sake  of  Christian  credit,  that  the  sym 
pathy  does  not  end  here,  but  that  thy  affections  are 
as  social  as  thy  dislikes." 

"  More  so,  as  there  is  faith  in  man !  Count  Emich 
is  a  huge  lover  of  a  venison  pasty  of  a  morning, 
and  I  feel  a  yearning  for  it  the  day  long — Count 
Emich  will  dispatch  you  a  bottle  of  Deurckheim  in 
an  hour,  whereas  two  would  scarce  show  my  zeal 
for  his  honor  in  the  same  time ;  and  as  for  other 
mortifications  of  this  nature,  I  am  not  the  man  to 
desert  my  master  for  want  of  zeal." 

"  I  believe  thee,  Gottlob,"  said  Berchthold  laugh 
ing,  "  and  even  more  than  thou  canst  find  words  to 
say  in  thine  own  favor,  on  topics  like  these.  But, 
after  all,  the  Benedictines  are  churchmen,  and  sworn, 
to  their  faith  and  duty,  as  well  as  any  bishop  in  Ger 
many  ;  and  I  do  not  see  the  cause  of  all  the  dislike 
of  either  lord  or  vassal." 

"  Ay,  thou  art  in  favor  with  some  of  the  fraternity, 
and  it  is  rare  that  the  week  passes  in  which  thou  art 
not  kneeling  before  some  of  their  altars ;  but  with 
rne  the  case  is  different,  for  since  the  penance  com 
manded  for  that  affair  of  dealing  a  little  freely  with 
one  of  their  herds,  I  have  srrrall  digestion  for  their 
spiritual  food." 

"  And  yet  thou  hast  paid  Peter's  pence,  said  thy 
prayers,  and  confessed  thy  sins  to  Father  Arnolph, 
and  all  within  the  month !" 

"  What  wouldst  thou  have  of  a  sinner  ?  I  gave  the 
money  on  the  promise  of  having  it  back  with  usury 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  37 

I  prayed  on  account  of  an  accursed  tooth  that  tor 
ments  me,  at  times,  in  a  manner  worse  than  a 
damned  soul  is  harrowed ;  and  as  to  confession,  ever 
since  my  uncommon  candor,  concerning  the  herd, 
got  me  into  that  penance,  I  confess  under  favor  of  a 
proper  discretion.  To  tell  the  truth,  Master  Berch- 
thold,  the  church  is  something  like  a  two-year  old 
wife ;  pleasant  enough  when  allowed  her  own  way, 
but  a  devil  of  a  vixen  when  folded  against  her  will." 

The  young  forester  was  thoughtful  and  silent,  and 
as  they  were  now  in  the  vicinity  of  the  hamlet  which 
belonged  to  the  friars  of  Limburg,  his  loquacious 
and  prurient  companion  saw  fit  to  imitate  his  reserve, 
from  a  motive  of  prudence.  The  little  artificial 
lake  mentioned  in  the  Introduction  was  in  existence, 
at  the  time  of  our  tale ;  but  the  inn,  with  the  ambi 
tions  sign  of  the  anchor,  is  the  fruit  of  far  more 
modern  enterprise.  When  the  young  men  reached 
a  ravine,  that  opened  into  the  mountain  near  the 
present  site  of  this  tavern,  they  turned  aside  from 
the  high  road,  first  taking  care  to  observe  that  no 
curious  eye  watched  their  movements. 

Here  commenced  a  long  and  somewhat  painful 
ascent,  by  means  of  a  rough  path,  that  was  only 
lighted  in  spots  by  the  rising  moon.  The  vigorous 
imbs  of  the  forester  and  the  cow-herd,  however, 
soon  carried  them  to  the  summit  of  the  most  ad 
vanced  spur  of  the  adjoining  mountain,  where  they 
arrived  upon  an  open  heath-like  plain.  Although 
the  discourse  between  them  had  been  maintained 
during  the  ascent,  it  was  in  more  subdued  tones  even 
than  when  beneath  the  walls  of  Limburg,  the  spirits 
of  Gottlob  appearing  to  ooze  away  the  higher  he 
mounted. 

"  This  is  a  dreary  and  a  courage-killing  waste, 
Berchthold,"  whispered  the  cow-herd,  as  his  foot 
touched  the  level  ground ;  "  and  it  is  even  more  dis 
heartening  to  enter  on  it  by  the  aid  of  the  moon, 
D 


38  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

than  in  the  dark.  Hast  ever  been  nearer  to  the 
Teufelstein,  at  this  hour  ?' 

"  I  came  upon  it  once  at  midnight ;  for  it  was 
there  I  made  acquaintance  with  him  that  we  are  now 
about  to  visit — Did  I  never  relate  the  manner  of 
that  meeting?" 

"  What  a  habit  hast  thou  of  taxing  a  memory  1 
Perhaps  if  thou  wert  to  repeat  it,  I  might  recall  the 
facts  by  the  time  thou  wert  ended ;  and  to  speak 
truth,  thy  voice  is  comfortable  on  this  sprite's  com 
mon." 

The  young  forester  smiled,  but  without  derision, 
for  he  saw  that  his  companion,  spite  of  his  indiffer 
ence  to  all  grave  subjects,  was,  as  is  generally  the 
case,  the  most  afiected  of  the  two  when  put  to  a 
serious  trial,  and  perhaps  he  also  remembered  the 
difference  that  education  had  made  in  their  powers 
of  thinking.  That  he  did  not  treat  the  subject  ag 
one  of  light  import  himself,  was  also  apparent  by  the 
regulated  and  cautious  manner  in  which  he  deliver 
ed  the  following  account. 

"  I  had  been  on  the  chases  of  Lord  Emich  since 
the  rising  of  the  sun,"  commenced  Berchthold,  "  for 
there  was  need  of  more  than  common  vigilance  to 
watch  the  neighboring  boors.  The  search  had  led 
me  far  into  the  hills,  and  the  night  came,  not  as  it  is 
now  seen,  but  so  pitchy  dark,  that,  accustomed  as  I 
was  from  childhood  to  the  forest,  it  was  not  possible 
to  tell  the  direction  of  even  a  star,  much  less  that 
of  the  Castle.  For  hours  I  wandered,  hoping  at 
each  moment  to  reach  the  opening  of  the  valley, 
when  I  found  myself  of  a  sudden  in  a  field  that  ap 
peared  endless  and  uninhabited." 

"Ay — That  was  this  devil's  ball-room! — thou 
meanest  untenanted  by  man." 

"  Hast  thou  ever  known  the  helplessness  of  being 
ost  in  the  forest,  Gottlob  ?" 

"  In  my  own  person,  never,  Master  Berchthold  ; 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  39 

but  in  that  of  my  herd,  it  is  a  misfortune  that  often 
oefalls  me,  sinner  that  I  am !" 

"  I  know  not  that  sympathy  with  thy  cows  can 
tcctch  thee  the  humiliation  and  depression  that  come 
over  the  mind,  when  we  stand  on  this  goodly  earth, 
cut  off  from  all  communication  with  our  fellows,  in 
a  desert,  though  surrounded  by  living  men,  deprived 
of  the  senses  of  sight  and  hearing  for  useful  ends, 
and  with  all  the  signs  of  God  before  the  eyes,  and  yet 
with  none  of  the  common  means  of  enjoying  his 
bounty,  from  having  lost  the  clue  to  his  intentions." 

"  Must  tha  teeth,  of  necessity,  be  idle,  or  the  throat 
dry,  Master  Forester,  because  the  path  is  hid  ?" 

"  At  such  a  moment  the  appetites  are  quieted,  in 
the  grand  desire  to  return  to  our  usual  communica 
tion  with  the  earth.  It  is  like  being  restored  to  the 
helplessness  of  infancy,  with  all  the  wants  and  habits 
of  manhood  besetting  the  character  and  wishes." 

"  If  thou  callest  such  a  condition  a  restoration, 
friend  Berchthold,  I  shall  make  interest  with  St. 
Benedict  that  I  may  remain  deposed  to  the  end  of 
my  days." 

"  I  weigh  not  the  meaning  of  every  word  I  utter, 
with  the  recollection  of  that  helpless  moment  so 
fresh.  But  it  was  when  the  desolate  feeling  was 
strongest,  that  I  roved  out  of  the  chase  upon  this 
mountain  heath;  there  appeared  something  before 
my  sight,  that  seemed  a  house,  and  by  a  bright  light 
that  glittered,  as  I  fancied,  at  a  window,  I  felt  again 
restored  to  intercourse  with  my  kind." 

"  Thou  usest  thy  terms  with  more  discretion  now," 
said  the  cow-herd,  fetching  a  heavy  breath,  like  one 
who  was  glad  the  difficulty  had  found  a  termination. 
"  I  hope  it  was  the  abode  of  some  substantial  tenan* 
of  Lord  Emich,  who  was  not  without  the  means  of 
comforting  a  soul  in  distress." 

"Gottlob,  the  dwelling  was  no  other  than  the 


40  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Teufelstein,  and  the  light  was  a  twinkling  star,  tha* 
chance  had  brought  in  a  line  with  the  rock." 

"  I  take  it  for  granted,  Master  Berchthold,  thou 
didst  not  knock  twice  for  admission  at  that  door !" 

"  I  am  not  much  governed  by  the  vulgar  legends 
and  womanish  superstitions  of  our  hills,  but " 

"  Softly — softly — friend  forester ;  what  thou  call- 
est  by  names  so  irreverent,  are  the  opinions  of  all 
who  dwell  in  or  about  Deurckheim  ;  knight  or  monk 
— burgher  or  count,  has  equally  a  respect  for  our 
venerable  traditions.  Tausand  Sechs  und  Zwan- 
ziges !  what  would  become  of  us,  if  we  had  not  a 
gory  tale,  or  some  alarming  and  reverend  spectacle 
of  this  sort,  to  set  up  against  the  penances,  and 
prayers,  and  masses  of  the  Friars  of  Limburg  ! — As 
much  wisdom  and  philosophy  as  thou  wilt,  foster- 
brother  of  mine,  but  leave  us  our  Devil,  if  it  be 
only  to  make  battle  against  the  Abbot !" 

"  Notwithstanding  thy  big  words,  I  well  know  that 
none  among  us  has,  at  heart,  a  greater  dread  of  this 
very  hill  than  thyself,  Gottlob !  I  have  seen  thee 
sweat  cold  drops  from  thy  forehead,  in  crossing  the 
heath  after  night-fall." 

"  Art  quite  sure  'twas  not  the  dew  ?  We  have 
heavy  fails  of  that  moisture  in  these  hills,  when  the 
earth  is  parched !" 

"  Let  it  then  be  the  dew." 

"To  oblige  thee,  Berchthold,  I  would  willingly 
swear  it  was  a  water-spout.  But  what  didst  thou 
make  of  the  rock  and  the  star  ?" 

"  I  could  change  the  nature  of  neither.  I  pretend 
not  to  thy  indifference  to  the  mysterious  power  that 
rules  the  earth,  but  thou  well  knowest  that  fear 
never  yet  kept  me  from  this  hill.  When  a  near  ap 
proach  showed  me  my  error,  I  was  about  to  turn 
away,  not  without  crossing  myself  and  repeating 
an  Ave,  as  I  am  ready  to  acknowledge;  but  a 


THE  HEIDEJNMAUER.  4 

gfance  upward  convinced  me  that  the  stone  was  oc 
cupied " 

"  Occupied  1 — I  have  always  known  that  it  was 
possessed,  but  never  before  did  I  think  it  was  occu 
pied  1" 

"  There  was  one  seated  on  its  uppermost  projec 
tion,  as  plainly  to  be  seen  as  the  rock  itself." 

"Whereupon  thou  madest  manifest  that  good 
speed  which  has  gained  thee  the  favor  of  the  Count, 
arid  thy  post  of  forester." 

"  I  hope  the  nerve  to  put  the  duties  of  my  office 
in  practice,  had  their  weight  with  Lord  Emich,"  re 
joined  Berchthold,  a  little  quickly.  "  I  did  not  run, 
Gottlob,  but  I  spoke  to  the  being  who  had  chosen  a 
seat  so  remarkable,  and  at  that  late  hour." 

Spite  of  his  spirits  and  affected  humor,  the  cow 
herd  unconsciously  drew  nearer  to  his  companion, 
casting  at  the  same  time  an  oblique  glance  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  suspected  rock. 

"  Thou  seemest  troubled,  Gottlob." 

"  Dost  thou  think  I  am  without  bowels  ?  What, 
shall  a  friend  of  mine  be  in  this  strait,  and  I  not 
troubled  I  Heaven  save  thee,  Berchthold,  were  the 
best  cow  in  my  herd  off  her  stomach,  I  could  not 
be  in  greater  concern.  Hadst  any  answer  1" 

"  I  had — and  the  result  has  gone  to  show  me," 
returned  the  forester,  musing  as  he  spoke,  like  one 
who  was  obtaining  glimpses  of  long-concealed  truth, 
"  that  our  fears  oftentimes  prevent  us  from  seeing 
things  as  they  are,  and  are  the  means  of  nourishing 
our  mistakes.  I  got  an  answer,  and  certainly,  con 
trary  to  what  most  in  Deurckheim  would  have  be 
lieved,  it  was  given  in  a  human  voice." 

"  That  was  encouraging,  though  it  were  hoarser 
than  the  roaring  of  a  bull !" 

"  It  spoke  mildly  and  in  reason,  Gottlob,  as  thou 
wilt  readily  believe,  when  I  tell  thee  it  was  no 
other  than  the  voice  of  the  Anchorite  of  the  Cedars. 


42  THE  HE1DENMAUER, 

Our  acquaintance  then  and  there  commenced,  since 
which  time,  as  thou  knowest  well,  it  hath  not  flagged 
for  want  of  frequent  visits  to  his  abode,  on  my  part." 

The  cow-herd  walked  on  in  silence,  for  more  than 
a  minute,  and  then  stopping  short,  he  abruptly  ad 
dressed  his  companion : — 

"  And  this  then  hath  been  thy  secret,  Berchthold 
concerning  the  manner  of  commencing  on  thy  new 
friendship." 

"  There  is  no  other.  I  well  knew  how  much  thou 
wert  fettered  by  the  opinions  of  the  country,  and 
was  afraid  of  losing  thy  company  in  these  visits, 
were  I,  without  caution,  to  tell  all  the  circumstances 
of  our  interview.  But  now  thou  hast  become  known 
to  the  anchorite,  I  do  not  fear  thy  desertion." 

*'  Never  count  upon  too  many  sacrifices  from  thy 
friends,  Master  Berchthold !  The  mind  of  man  is 
borne  upon  by  so  many  fancies,  is  ruled  by  so  many 
vagaries,  and  tormented  by  so  many  doubts,  when 
there  is  question  concerning  the  safety  of  the  body, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  soul,  that  I  know  no  more  rash 
confidence,  than  to  count  too  securely  on  the  sacri 
fices  of  a  friend." 

"  Thou  knowest  the  path,  and  can  return  by  thy 
self,  to  the  hamlet,  if  thou  wilt,"  said  the  forester 
peevishly,  and  not  without  severity. 

"  There  are  situations  in  which  it  is  as  difficult  to 
go  back  as  to  go  forward,"  observed  Gottlob ;  "  else, 
Berchthold,  I  might  take  thee  at  thy  word,  and  go 
back  to  my  careful  mother,  a  good  supper,  and  a 
bed  that  stands  between  a  picture  of  the  Virgin,  one 
of  St.  Benedict,  and  one  of  my  Lord  the  Count. 
But  for  my  concern  for  thee,  I  would  not  go  another 
foot  towards  the  camp." 

"  Do  as  thou  wilt,"  said  the  forester,  who  appear 
ed,  however,  to  know  the  apprehension  his  compan 
ion  felt  of  being  left  alone  in  that  solitary  and  sus 
pected  spot,  and  who  turned  his  advantage  to  good 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  43 

account,  by  quickening  his  pace  in  such  a  manner  as 
would  soon  have  left  Gottlob  to  his  own  thick-com 
ing  fancies,  had  he  not  diligently  imitated  his  gait. 
«  Thou  canst  tell  the  people  of  Lord  Emich,  that 
thou  abandoned  me  on  this  hill." 

"  Nay,"  returned  Gottlob,  making  a  merit  of  ne 
cessity,  "  if  I  do  that,  or  say  that,  may  they  make  a 
Benedictine  of  me,  and  the  Abbot  of  Limburg  to 
boot !" 

As  the  cow-herd,  who  felt  all  his  master's  antipa 
thies  against  their  religious  neighbors,  expressed 
this  determination  in  a  voice  strong  as  his  resolution, 
confidence  was  restored  between  the  friends,  who 
continued  their  progress  with  swift  paces.  The 
place  was,  sooth  to  say,  one  every  way  likely  to 
quicken  any  dormant  seeds  of  superstition  that  edu 
cation,  or  tradition,  or  local  opinions  had  implanted 
in  the  human  breast. 

By  this  time  our  adventurers  had  approached  a 
wood  of  low  cedars,  which,  apparently  encircled  in 
a  round  wall  that  was  composed  of  a  confused  but 
vast  pile  of  fallen  stones,  grew  upon  the  advanced 
spur  of  the  hills.  Behind  them  lay  the  heath-like 
plain,  while  the  bald  rock  which  the  moon-beams 
had  just  lighted,  raising  its  head  from  out  of  the 
earth,  resembled  some  gloomy  monument  placed  in 
the  centre  of  the  waste,  to  mark  and  to  render  ob 
vious,  by  comparison,  the  dreary  solitude  of  the 
naked  fields.  The  back-ground  was  the  dark  slopes 
and  ridges  of  the  forest  of  the  Haart  mountains. 
On  their  right  was  the  glen,  or  valley,  from  which 
they  had  just  ascended;  and  on  their  front,  looking 
a  little  obliquely  from  the  grove,  the  plain  of  the 
Palatinate,  which  lay  in  misty  obscurity,  like  a  dim 
sea  of  cultivation,  hundreds  of  feet  beneath  their 
elevated  stand. 

It  was  rare,  indeed,  that  any  immediate  dependant 
of  the  Count  Emich,  and  more  especially  any  of 


44  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

those  who  dwelt  in  or  about  his  castle,  and  who 
were  likely  to  be  called  into  his  service  at  an  unex 
pected  moment,  ventured  so  far  from  the  fortress, 
and  in  the  direction  of  the  hostile  Abbey,  without 
providing  himself  with  the  means  of  offence  and  de 
fence.  Berchthold  wore,  as  wont,  his  hunting-knife, 
or  the  short  straight  sword,  which  to  this  day  is 
carried  by  that  description  of  European  dependant 
called  a  chasseur,  and  who  is  seen,  degraded  to  the 
menial  offices  of  a  footman,  standing  behind  the 
carriages  of  ambassadors  and  princes,  reminding 
the  observant  spectator  of  the  regular  and  certain 
decadency  of  the  usages  of  feudal  times.  Neither 
had  Gottlob  been  neglectful  of  his  personal  security, 
as  respects  human  foes ;  for  on  the  subject  of  resist 
ing  all  such  attacks,  his  manhood  was  above  re 
proach,  as  had  been  proved  in  more  than  one  of 
those  bloody  frays,  which  in  that  age  were  of  fre 
quent  occurrence  between  the  vassals  of  the  minor 
German  princes.  *The  cow-herd  had  provided  him 
self  with  a  heavy  weapon  that  his  father  had  often 
wielded  in  battle,  and  which  needed  all  the  vigor  of 
the  muscular  arm  of  the  son,  to  flourish  with  a  due 
observance  of  the  required  positions  and  attitudes. 
Fire-arms  were  of  too  much  value  and  of  too  im 
perfect  use  to  be  resorted  to  on  every  light  occasion, 
tike  that  which  had  now  drawn  the  foster-brothers, 
for  such  supported  by  long  habit  was  the  secret  of 
the  intimacy  between  the  forester  and  the  cow-herd, 
from  their  hamlet  to  the  hill  of  Deurckheim. 

Berchthold  loosened  his  couteau-de-chasse,  as  he 
turned  by  an  ancient  gate-way,  whose  position  was 
known  merely  by  an  interruption  of  the  ditch  that 
had  protected  this  face  of  the  wall,  and  an  opening 
in  the  wall  itself,  to  enter  the  inclosure,  which  the 
reader  will  at  once  recognize  as  the  Pagan's  Camp 
of  the  Introduction.  At  the  same  moment  Gottlob 
cast  his  heavy  weapon  from  his  shoulder,  and 


THE  HEIDENMAUER,  45 

grasped  its  handle  in  a  more  scientific  manner. 
There  was  certainly  no  enemy  visible  to  justify 
these  movements,  but  the  increasing  solitude  of  the 
place,  and  that  impression  of  danger  which  besets 
the  faculties,  when  we  find  ourselves  in  situations 
favorable  to  deeds  of  violence,  probably  induced  the 
double  and  common  caution.  The  light  of  the 
moon,  which  was  not  yet  full,  had  not  sufficient 
power  to  penetrate  the  thick  branches  of  the  cedars ; 
and  when  the  youths  were  fairly  beneath  the  gloomy 
foliage,  although  not  left  in  the  ordinary  darkness 
of  a  clouded  night,  they  were  perhaps  in  that  very 
species  of  dull  and  misty  illumination,  which,  by 
leaving  objects  uncertain  while  visible,  is  the  best 
adapted  to  undermine  the  confidence  of  a  distrustful 
spirit.  There  was  little  wind,  but  the  sighs  of  the 
night  air  were  plaintively  audible,  while  the  adven 
turers  picked  their  way  among  the  fragments  of  the 
place. 

It  has  been  elsewhere  said,  that  the  Heidenmauer 
was  originally  a  Roman  camp.  The  warlike  and 
extraordinary  people  who  had  erected  these  ad 
vanced  works  on  the  remotest  frontier  of  their  wide 
empire,  had,  of  course,  neglected  none  of  the  means 
that  were  necessary,  under  the  circumstances, 
either  for  their  security  or  for  their  comfort.  The 
first  had  been  sufficiently  obtained  by  the  nearly 
isolated  position  of  the  hill,  protected,  as  it  was,  by 
walls  so  massive  and  so  high  as  those  must  have 
been,  which  had  consumed  the  quantity  of  materials 
still  visible  in  the  large  circuit  that  remained  ;  while 
the  interior  furnished  abundant  proofs  that  the  latter 
had  not  been  neglected,  in  its  intersecting  remains, 
over  which  Gottlob  more  than  once  stumbled,  as 
he  advanced  into  the  shadows  of  the  place.  Here 
and  there,  a  ruined  habitation,  more  or  less  dilapi 
dated,  was  still  standing,  furnishing,  like  the  memo 
rable  remains  of  Pompeii  and  Herculaneum,  inter- 


46  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

esting  and  infallible  evidence  of  the  usages  of  those 
who  have  so  long  since  departed  to  their  eternal 
rest.  It  would  seem,  by  the  rude  repairs  which 
rather  injured  than  embellished  these  touching, 
though  simple  monuments  of  what  the  interior  of  the 
camp  had  been  in  its  day  of  power  and  pride,  that 
modern  adventurers  had  endeavored  to  turn  them 
to  account,  by  converting  the  falling  huts  into  hab 
itations  appropriated  to  their  own  temporary  uses. 
All,  however,  appeared  to  have  been  long  before 
finally  abandoned ;  for  as  Berchthold  and  his  com 
panion  stole  cautiously  among  the  crumbling  stones, 
the  gaping  rents  and  roofless  walls  denoted  hopeless 
decay.  At  length  the  youths  paused,  and  fastened 
their  looks  in  a  common  direction,  as  if  apprized 
that  they  were  near  the  goal  of  their  expedition. 

In  a  part  of  the  grove,  where  the  cedars  grew 
more  dense  and  luxuriant  than  on  most  of  that 
stony  and  broken  soil,  stood  a  single  low  building, 
which,  of  all  there,  had  the  air  of  being  still  habita 
ble.  Like  the  others,  it  either  had  been  originally 
constructed  by  the  masters  of  the  world,  or  restored 
on  the  foundations  of  some  Roman  construction  by 
the  followers  of  Attila,  who,  it  will  be  remembered, 
had  passed  a  winter  in  this  camp ;  and  it  was  now 
rendered  weather-proof  by  the  usual  devices  of  the 
poor  and  laborious.  There  was  a  single  window,  a 
door,  and  a  rude  chimney,  which  the  climate  and 
the  elevated  situation  of  the  place  rendered  nearly 
indispensable.  The  light  of  a  dim  torch  shone 
through  the  former,  the  only  sign  that  the  hut  was 
tenanted  ;  for  on  the  exterior,  with  the  exception  of 
the  rough  repairs  just  mentioned,  all  around  it  lay 
in  the  neglected  and  eloquent  stillness  of  ruin.  The 
reader  will  not  imagine,  in  this  description,  any  of 
that  massive  grandeur  which  so  insensibly  attaches 
itself  to  most  that  is  connected  with  the  Roman 
name ;  for  while,  in  the  nature  of  things,  the  most 


THE  IIEIDENMAUER.  47 

ponderous  and  the  most  imposing  of  the  public 
works  of  that  people  are  precisely  those  which  are 
the  most  likely  to  have  descended  to  our  own  times, 
the  traveller  often  meets  with  memorials  of  their 
power,  that  are  so  frail  and  perishable  in  their  con 
struction,  as  to  owe  their  preservation,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  an  accidental  combination  of  circum 
stances  favorable  to  such  a  result.  Still,  the  Roman 
was  ordinarily  as  much  greater  in  little  things,  if 
connected  with  a  public  object,  as  he  excelled  all 
who  have  succeeded  him,  in  those  which  were  of 
more  importance.  The  Ringmauer,  or  Heiden- 
mauer,  is  a  strong  proof  of  what  we  say.  There  is 
not  an  arch,  nor  a  tomb,  nor  a  gate,  nor  a  paved 
road  of  any  description  in  the  vicinity  of  Deurck- 
heim,  to  show  that  the  post  was  more  than  a  tem 
porary  military  position ;  and  yet  the  presence  of  its 
former  occupants  is  established  by  more  evidence 
than  would  probably  be  found,  a  century  hence 
were  half  of  the  present  cities  of  Christendom  to  be 
suddenly  abandoned.  But  these  evidences  are  rude 
and  suited  to  the  objects  which  had  brought  them 
into  existence. 

The  forester  and  the  cow-herd  stood  long  regard 
ing  the  solitary  hut,  which  had  arrested  their  looks 
like  men  hesitating  to  proceed. 

"  I  had  more  humor  for  the  company  of  the  hon 
est  anchorite,  Master  Berchthold,"  said  the  latter 
"  before  thou  madest  me  acquainted  with  his  fond- 
ness  for  taking  the  night  air  on  the  Teufelstein." 

"  Thou  hast  not  fear,  Gottlob  ?  Thou,  who  bear 
est  so  good  a  name  for  courage  among  our  youths  !' 

"  I  shall  be  the  last  to  accuse  myself  of  cowardice 
or  of  any  other  discreditable  quality,  friend  forester ., 
but  prudence  is  a  virtue  in  a  youth,  as  the  Abbot  of 
Limburg  himself  would  swear,  were  he  here f> 

"  He  is  not  present  in  his  own  reverend  and  re 
spected  person,"  said  a  voice  so  nigh  the  ear  ot 


48  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Gottlob,  as  to  cause  him  to  jump  nimbly  aside ;  "  but 
one  who  may  humbly  represent  some  portion  of  his 
sanctity,  is  not  wanting  to  affirm  the  truth  of  what 
thou  sayest,  son." 

The  startled  young  men  saw  that  a  monk  of  the 
opposite  mountain  had  unexpectedly  appeared  be 
tween  them.  They  were  on  the  lands  of  the  Abbey, 
or  rather  on  ground  in  dispute  between  the  burghers 
of  Deurckheim  and  the  convent,  but  actually  in  pos 
session  of  the  latter ;  and  they  felt  the  insecurity  of 
their  situation  as  the  dependants  of  the  count  of 
Hartenburg.  Neither  spoke,  therefore,  for  each 
was  striving  to  invent  some  plausible  pretext  for  his 
appearance  in  a  place  so  unfrequented,  and  which, 
in  general,  was  held  in  so  little  favor  by  the  neigh 
boring  peasantry. 

"You  are  youths  of  Deurckheim?"  asked  the 
monk,  endeavoring  to  observe  their  features  by  the 
imperfect  light  that  penetrated  the  foliage  of  the 
dark  cedars.  Gottlob,  whose  besetting  infirmity  was 
a  too  exuberant  fluency  of  tongue,  took  on  himself 
the  task  of  answering. 

"  We  are  youths,  reverend  father,"  he  said,  "  as 
thy  quick  and  sagacious  sight  hath  so  well  seen.  I 
will  not  deny  my  years,  and  if  I  would,  the  devil, 
who  besets  all  between  fifteen  and  five-and- twenty 
in  the  shape  of  some  giddy  infirmity,  would  soon 
betray  the  imposture." 

"  Of  Deurckheim,  son  ?" 

"As  there  is  question  between  the  Abbey  and  the 
town  concerning  these  hills,  we  might  not  stand  any 
better  in  thy  favor,  holy  Benedictine,  were  we  to 
say  yes." 

"  In  that  suspicion,  thou  dost  little  justice  to  the 
Abbey,  son:  we  may  defend  the  rights  of  the 
Church,  confided  in  their  temporalities  as  they  are 
to  an  unworthy  and  sinful  brotherhood,  without  feel 
ing  any  uncharitableness  against  those  who  believe 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  49 

they  have  claims  better  than  our  own.  The  love 
of  mammon  is  feeble  in  bosoms  that  are  devoted  to 
self-denying  and  repentant  lives.  Say  then  boldly 
that  you  are  a  Deurckheim,  and  dread  not  my  dis 
pleasure." 

"  Since  it  is  thy  good  pleasure,  benevolent  monk, 
I  will  say  boldly  that  we  are  of  Deurckheim." 

"  And  you  come  to  consult  the  holy  Anchorite  of 
the  Cedars?" 

"  It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  tell  one  of  thy 
knowledge  of  human  nature,  reverend  Benedictine, 
that  the  failing  of  all  dwellers  in  small  towns,  is  an 
itching  to  look  into  the  affairs  of  their  neighbors. 
Himmel !  If  our  worthy  burgomasters  would  spare 
a  little  time  from  the  affairs  of  other  people  to  look 
into  their  own,  we  should  all  be  greatly  gainers ; 
they  in  their  property,  and  we  in  our  comfort !" 

The  Benedictine  laughed,  and  he  motioned  for  the 
youths  to  follow,  advancing  himself  towards  the  hut. 

"  Since  you  have  given  yourselves  this  trouble,  no 
doubt  with  a  praiseworthy  and  pious  intention,  my 
sons,"  he  said,  "let  not  respect  for  my  presence 
change  your  purpose.  We  will  go  into  the  cell  of 
the  holy  hermit,  in  company ;  and  if  there  should  be 
advantage  from  his  blessing,  or  discourse,  believe 
me  I  will  not  be  so  unjust  as  to  envy  either  of  you  a 
share." 

"The  manner  in  which  the  friars  of  Limburg 
deny  themselves  advantages,  in  order  to  do  profit  to 
their  fellow-christians,  is  in  the  mouths  of  all,  far  and 
near ;  and  this  generosity  of  thine,  reverend  monk, 
is  quite  of  a  piece  with  the  well-earned  reputation 
of  the  whole  brotherhood." 

As  Gottlob  spoke  gravely,  and  bowed  with  suffi 
cient  reverence,  the  Benedictine  was  in  a  slight  de 
gree  his  dupe ;  though,  as  he  passed  beneath  the  low 
portal  of  the  hut,  he  could  not  prevent  a  lurking  sus 
picion  of  the  truth. 

E 


60  THE  HEIDFJSMAUER 


CHAPTER  III. 

14  He  comes  at  last  in  sullen  loneliness, 
And  whence  they  know  not,  why  they  need  not  guess." 

Lara 

IN  those  ages  in  which  moral  wrongs  were  chiefly 
repaired  by  superstition,  and  the  slaves  of  the  grosser 
passions  believed  they  were  only  to  be  rebuked  by 
signal  acts  of  physical  self-denial,  the  world  often 
witnessed  examples  of  men  retiring  from  its  allure 
ments,  to  caves  and  huts,  for  the  ostensible  pur 
poses  of  penitence  and  prayer.  That  this  extraor 
dinary  pretension  to  godliness  was  frequently  the 
cloak  of  ambition  and  deceit  is  certain,  but  it  would 
be  uncharitable  to  believe  that,  in  common,  it  did  not 
proceed  from  an  honest,  though  it  might  be  an  ill- 
directed,  zeal.  Hermitages  are  still  far  from  infre 
quent  in  the  more  southern  parts  of  Europe,  though 
they  are  of  rare  occurrence  in  Germany ;  but  pre 
viously  to  the  change  of  religion  which  occurred  in 
the  sixteenth  century,  and  consequently  near  the 
period  of  this  tale,  they  were  perhaps  more  often 
met  with  among  the  descendants  of  the  northern 
race,  than  among  the  more  fervid  fancies  of  the 
southern  stock  of  that  quarter  of  the  world.  It  is 
a  law  of  nature  that  the  substances  which  most 
easily  receive  impressions,  are  the  least  likely  to  re 
tain  them ;  and  possibly  there  may  be  requisite  a 
constancy  and  severity  of  character  to  endure  the 
never-ending  and  mortifying  exactions  of  the  an 
chorite,  that  were  not  so  easily  found  among  the 
volatile  and  happy  children  of  the  sun,  as  among 
the  sterner  offspring  of  the  regions  of  cold  and 
tempests. 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  the  principles  of  him 
who  thus  abandoned  worldly  ease  for  the  love  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  51 

God,  it  it  quite  sure,  that  in  practice,  there  were 
present  and  soothing  rewards  in  this  manner  of  life, 
that  were  not  without  strong  attractions  to  morbid 
minds ;  especially  to  those  in  which  the  seeds  of 
ambition  were  dormant  rather  than  extinct.  It  was 
rare,  indeed,  that  a  recluse  established  himself  in  the 
vicinity  of  a  simple  and  religious  neighborhood,  and 
few  were  they  who  sought  absolute  solitude  without 
reaping  a  rich  harvest  of  veneration  and  moral  de 
pendence  among  the  untrained  minds  of  his  admirers. 
In  this  treacherous  manner  does  vanity  beset  us  in 
our  strong-holds  of  mental  security,  and  he  who 
has  abandoned  the  world,  in  the  hope  of  leaving 
behind  him  those  impulses  which  endangered  his 
hopes,  finds  the  enemy  in  a  new  shape,  intrenched 
in  the  very  citadel  of  his  defences.  There  is  little 
merit,  and  commonly  as  little  safety,  in  turning  the 
back  on  any  danger,  and  he  has  far  less  claims  to 
the  honors  of  a  hero  who  outlives  the  contest  in 
consequence  of  means  so  questionable,  than  he  who 
survives  because  he  has  given  a  mortal  blow  to  his 
antagonist.  The  task  assigned  to  man  is  to  move 
among  his  fellows  doing  good,  filling  his  part  in  the 
scale  of  creation,  and  escaping  from  none  of  the 
high  duties  which  God  has  allotted  to  his  being ;  and 
greatly  should  he  be  grateful,  that,  while  his  service 
is  arduous,  he  is  not  left  without  the  powerful  aid  of 
that  intelligence  which  controls  the  harmony  of  the 
universe. 

The  Anchorite  of  the  Cedars,  as  the  recluse  now 
visited  by  the  monk  and  his  accidental  companions 
was  usually  termed  by  the  peasants,  and  by  the 
burghers  of  Deurckheim,  had  made  his  appearance 
about  six  months  before  the  opening  of  our  story,  in 
the  Ringmauer.  Whence  he  had  come,  how  long 
he  intended  to  remain,  and  what  had  been  his  pre 
vious  career,  were  facts  equally  unknown  to  those 
among  whom  he  so  suddenly  took  up  his  abode. 


52  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

None  had  seen  him  arrive,  nor  could  any  say  from 
what  sources  he  drew  the  few  articles  of  household 
furniture  which  were  placed  in  his  hut.  They  who 
left  the  camp  untenanted  one  week,  on  returning  the 
next,  had  found  it  occupied  by  a  man,  who  had  ar 
ranged  one  of  the  deserted  buildings  in  a  manner  to 
shelter  him  from  the  storms,  and  who,  by  erecting 
a  crucifix  at  his  door,  had  sufficiently  announced 
the  motive  of  his  retirement.  It  was  usual  to  hail 
the  establishment  of  a  hermit  in  any  particular  dis 
trict,  as  a  propitious  event ;  and  many  were  the 
hopes  excited,  and  plans  of  effecting  temporal  ob 
jects  concocted,  by  the  intervention  of  the  prayers 
of  the  stranger,  before  his  presence  had  been  known 
a  fortnight.  All  within  the  influence  of  the  name  of 
the  hermit,  except  Emich  of  Leinengen-Hartenburg, 
the  burgomasters  of  Deurckheim,  and  the  monks 
of  Limburg,  heard  of  his  arrival  with  satisfaction. 
The  haughty  and  warlike  baron  had  imbibed  a 
standing  prejudice  against  all  devotees,  from  an  in 
herited  enmity  to  the  adjoining  convent,  which  had 
contested  the  sovereignty  of  the  valley  with  his 
family  for  ages ;  while  the  magistrates  had  a  latent 
jealousy  of  every  influence  which  custom  and  the 
laws  had  not  rendered  familiar.  As  to  the  monks, 
the  secret  of  their  distrust  was  to  be  found  in  that 
principle  of  human  nature,  which  causes  us  to  dis 
like  being  outdone  in  any  merit  of  which  we  make 
an  especial  profession,  even  though  superior  godli 
ness  be  its  object.  Until  now  the  Abbot  of  Limburg 
was  held  to  be  the  judge,  in  the  last  resort,  of  all  in 
tercessions  between  earth  and  heaven ;  and  as  his 
supremacy  had  the  support  of  time,  he  had  long  en 
joyed  it  in  that  careless  security  which  lures  so 
many  of  the  prosperous  to  their  downfall. 

These  antipathies  on  the  part  of  the  honored  and 
powerful  might,  to  say  the  least,  have  rendered  the 
life  of  the  anchorite  very  uncomfortable,  if  not  posi 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  53 

lively  insecure,  were  it  not  for  the  neutralizing  effect 
of  the  antagonist  forces  which  were  set  in  motion. 
Opinion,  deepened  by  superstition,  held  its  shield 
over  the  humble  hut,  and  month  after  month  glided 
away,  after  the  arrival  of  the  stranger,  during  which 
he  received  no  other  testimonials  of  the  feelings  ex 
cited  by  his  presence,  than  those  connected  with  the 
reverence  of  the  bulk  of  the  population.  An  acci 
dental  communication  with  Berchthold  was  ripen 
ing  into  intimacy,  and,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  course 
of  the  narrative,  there  were  others  to  whom  his 
counsel,  or  his  motives,  or  his  prayers,  were  no., 
indifferent. 

The  latter  fact  was  made  sufficiently  apparent  to 
those  who  on  account  of  their  mutual  distrust,  now 
presented  themselves  with  less  ceremony  than  usual, 
at  the  threshold  of  the  hut.  The  light  within  came 
from  a  fagot  which  was  burning  on  the  rude  hearth, 
but  it  was  quite  strong  enough  to  show  the  monk 
and  his  companions  that  the  anchorite  was  not  alone. 
Their  footsteps  had  evidently  been  heard,  and  a 
female  had  time  to  arise  from  her  knees,  and  to  ar 
range  her  mantle  in  such  a  manner  as  effectually  to 
conceal  her  countenance.  The  hurried  action  was 
scarcely  completed,  when  the  Benedictine  darkened 
the  door  with  his  gloomy  robes,  while  Berchthold 
and  his  friend  stood  gazing  over  his  shoulders,  with 
lively  curiosity  mingled  with  surprise. 

The  form  and  countenance  of  the  anchorite  were 
those  of  middle  age.  His  eye  had  lost  nothing  of 
its  quickness  or  intelligence,  though  his  movements 
had  the  deliberation  and  care  that  long  experience 
insensibly  interweaves  in  the  habits  of  those  who 
have  not  lived  in  vain.  He  expressed  neither  con 
cern  nor  wonder  at  the  unexpected  visits,  but  le- 
garding  his  guests  earnestly,  like  one  who  assured 
himself  of  their  identity,  he  mildly  motioned  for  all 
to  enter.  There  was  jealous  suspicion  in  the  glance 
E2 


54  fHE  HEIDENMAlfER. 

of  the  Benedictine,  as  he  compnea :  ior  until  now, 
he  had  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  recluse  was 
usurping  so  intimate  and  so  extensive  an  influence 
over  the  minds  of  the  young,  as  the  presence  of  the 
unknown  female  would  give  reason  to  believe. 

"  I  knew  that  thou  wert  of  holy  life  and  constant 
prayer,  venerable  hermit,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  that 
questioned  in  more  than  one  meaning  of  the  term, 
"  but  until  this  moment,  I  had  not  thought  thee  vested 
with  the  Church's  power  to  hearken  to  the  trans 
gressions  of  the  faithful  and  to  forgive  sins!" 

"  The  latter  is  an  office,  brother,  that  of  right 
belongs  only  to  God.  The  head  of  the  Church  him 
self  is  but  an  humble  instrument  of  faith,  in  discharg 
ing  this  solemn  trust." 

The  countenance  of  the  monk  did  not  become 
more  amicable  at  this  reply,  nor  did  he  fail  to  cast 
a  scrutinizing  glance  at  the  muffled  form  of  the 
stranger,  in  a  fruitless  endeavor  to  recognize  her 
person, 

"  Thou  hast  not  even  the  tonsure,"  he  continued, 
while  his  uneasy  eye  rolled  from  that  of  the  recluse 
to  the  form  of  the  stranger,  who  had  shrunk,  as  far  as 
the  narrow  place  would  permit,  from  observation. 

"  Thou  seest,  father,  I  have  all  the  hair  that  time 
and  infirmities  have  left  me.  But  is  it  thought,  in 
thy  beneficed  and  warlike  abbey,  that  the  advice  of 
one  who  has  lived  long  enough  to  know  and  to  lament 
his  own  errors,  can  injure  the  less  experienced?  If 
unhappily  I  may  have  deceived  myself,  thou  art 
timely  present,  reverend  monk,  to  repair  the  wrong." 

"  £et  the  maiden  come  to  the  confessional  of  the 
Abbey  Church,  if  distrust  or  apprehension  weigh 
upon  her  mind;  doubt  it  not,  she  will  find  great 
comfort  in  the  experiment." 

"  As  I  will  testify,  from  many  trials — "  abruptly 
interposed  the  cow-herd,  who  advanced  intrusively 
between  the  two  devotees,  in  a  manner  to  occupy 


TOE  HEIDENMAUER.  55 

all  their  attention.  « <  Go  upon  the  hill,  and  ease  thy 
soul,  Gottlob,'  is  my  good  and  venerable  mother  in 
the  practice  of  saying,  whenever  my  opinion  of  my 
self  is  getting  to  be  too  humble,  *  and  discourse  with 
some  of  the  godly  fathers  of  the  Abbey,  whose  wis 
dom  and  unction  will  not  fail  to  lighten  thy  heart  of 
even  a  heavier  load,  There  is  Father  Ulnch,  he  is 
a  paragon  of  virtue  and  self-denial ;  and  Father 
Cuno  is  even  more  edifying  and  salutary  than  he  ; 
while  Father  Siegfried  is  more  balmy  to  a  soul,  than 
the  most  reverend  Abbot,  the  virtuous  and  pious 
Father  Bonifacius  himself!  Whatever  thou  doest, 
child,  go  upon  the  hill,  and  enter  boldly  into  the 
church,  like  a  loaded  and  oppressed  sinner  as  thou 
art,  and  especially  seek  counsel  and  prayer  from  the 
excellent  and  beloved  father  Siegfried.' " 

"  And  thou — who  art  thou  1"  demanded  the  half- 
doubting  monk,  "  that  thus  speakest  of  me,  in  terms 
that  I  so  little  merit,  to  my  face  T' 

"  I  would  I  were  Lord  Emich  of  Hartenburg,  or 
for  that  matter,  the  Elector  Palatine  himself,  in 
order  to  do  justice  to  those  I  honor  ;  in  which  case 
certain  Fathers  of  Limburg  should  have  especial 
favor,  and  that  quickly  too,  after  my  own  flesh  and 
blood  !  Who  am  I,  father  1  I  wonder  that  a  face 
so  often  seen  at  the  confessional  should  be  forgotten. 
What  there  is  of  me  to  boast  of,  Father  Siegfried,  is 
of  thine  own  forming— but  it  is  no  cause  of  surprise 
that  thou  dost  not  recall  me  to  mind,  since  the  meek 
and  towly  of  spirit  are  sure  to  forget  their  own 
good  works  !" 

, .  "  Thou  callest  thyself  Gottlob — but  the  name  be 
longs  to  many  Christians," 

"  More  bear  it,  reverend  monk,  than  know  now 
to  do  it  honor.     There  is  Gottlob  Frincke,  as  arrant 
a  knave  as  any  in  Deurckheim ;  and  Gottlob  Popp 
night  have  more   respect  for  his  baptismal  vow 
ind  as  to  Lord  Gottlob  of  Manheim ." 


56  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  We  will  overlook  the  transgressions  of  the  re 
mainder  of  thy  namesakes,  for  the  good  that  thou 
thyself  hast  done,"  interrupted  the  Benedictine,  who, 
having  insensibly  yielded  to  the  unction  of  flattery  in 
the  commencement  of  the  interview,  began  now  to 
be  ashamed  of  the  weakness,  as  the  fluent  cow-herd 
poured  forth  his  words  in  a  manner  to  excite  some 
suspicion  of  the  quality  of  praise  that  came  from 
such  a  source.  "  Come  to  me  when  thou  wilt,  son, 
and  such  counsel  as  a  weak  head,  but  a  sincere 
heart,  can  render,  shall  not  be  withheld." 

"  How  this  would  lighten  the  heart  of  my  old 
mother  to  hear !  '  Gottlob,'  would  she  say " 

"  What  has  become  of  thy  companion,  and  of  the 
maiden  ?"  hastily  demanded  the  Benedictine. 

As  the  part  of  the  cow-herd  was  successfully  per 
formed,  he  stood  aside,  with  an  air  of  well-acted 
simplicity  and  amazement,  leaving  the  discourse  to 
be  pursued  between  the  recluse  and  the  monk. 

"  Thy  guests  have  suddenly  left  us,"  continued 
the  latter,  after  satisfying  himself,  by  actual  obser 
vation,  that  no  one  remained  in  the  hut  but  himself, 
its  regular  occupant,  and  the  honey-tongued  Gott 
lob  ;  "  and,  as  it  would  seem,  in  company  !" 

"  They  are  gone  as  they  came,  voluntarily  and 
without  question." 

"  Thou  knowest  them,  by  frequent  visits,  holy 
hermit  ?" 

"  Father,  I  question  none  :  were  the  Elector  Fried- 
rich  to  come  into  my  abode,  he  would  be  welcome, 
and  this  cow-herd  is  not  less  so.  To  both,  at  parting, 
1  merely  say,  '  God  speed  ye  V  " 

"  Thou  keepest  the  cattle  of  the  burghers,  Gottlob  ?" 

"  I  keep  a  herd,  reverend  priest,  such  as  my  mas 
ters  please  to  trust  to  my  care." 

"  We  have  grave  cause  of  complaint  against  one 
of  thy  fellows  who  serves  the  Count  of  Hartenburg. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  5? 

and  who  is  in  the  daily  habit  of  trespassing  on  the 
pastures  of  the  church,  Dost  know  the  hind  V9 

"  Potz  Tausend  !  If  all  the  knaves  who  do  these 
wrongs,  when  out  of  sight  of  their  masters,  were 
set  in  a  row  before  the  eyes  of  the  most  reverend 
Abbot  of  Limburg,  he  would  scarce  know  whether 
to  begin  with  prayers  or  stripes,  and  they  say  he  is  a 
potent  priest  at  need,  with  both  !  I  sometimes  trem 
ble  for  my  own  conduct,  though  no  one  can  have  a 
better  opinion  of  himself  than  I,  poor  and  lowly  as 
I  stand  in  your  reverend  presence ;  for  a  hard  for 
tune,  and  some  oversight  in  the  management  of  my 
father's  affairs,  have  brought  me  to  the  need  of 
living  among  such  associates.  Were  I  not  of  ap 
proved  honesty,  there  might  be  more  beasts  on  the 
Abbey  lands ;  and  they  who  now  pass  their  time  in 
fasting  in  sheer  humility,  might  come  to  the  prac- 
rice  of  sheer  necessity." 

The  Benedictine  examined  the  meek  countenance 
of  Gottlob  with  a  keen  distrustful  eye ;  he  next  in 
vited  the  hermit  to  bestow  his  blessing,  and  then 
motioning  for  the  hind  to  retire,  he  entered  on  the 
real  object  of  his  visit  to  the  hermitage. 

We  shall  merely  say,  at  this  point  of  the  nar 
rative,  that  the  moment  was  extremely  critical  to 
all  who  dwelt  in  the  Palatinate  of  the  Rhine.  The 
Elector  had,  perhaps  imprudently  for  a  prince  of  his 
limited  resources,  taken  an  active  part  in  the  vin 
dictive  warfare  then  raging,  and  serious  reverses 
threatened  to  endanger  not  only  his  tranquillity  but 
his  throne.  It  was  a  consequence  of  the  feudal  sys 
tem,  which  then  so  generally  prevailed  in  Europe, 
that  internal  disorders  succeeded  any  manifest 
though  it  might  be  only  a  temporary  derangement 
of  the  power  of  the  potentate  that  held  the  right  of 
sovereignty  over  the  infinite  number  of  petty  rulers 
who,  at  that  period,  weighed  particularly  heavy  on 
Germany.  To  them  he  was  the  law,  for  they  were 


68  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

not  apt  to  acknowledge  any  supremacy  that  did  not 
come  supported  by  the  strong  hand.  The  ascend 
ing  scale  of  rulers,  including  baron,  count,  land 
grave,  margrave,  duke,  elector,  and  king,  up  to  the 
nominal  head  of  the  state,  the  emperor  himself,  with 
the  complicated  and  varied  interests,  embracing  al- 
bgiance  within  allegiance,  and  duty  upon  duty,  was 
likely  in  itself  to  lead  to  dissension,  had  the  Imperial 
Crown  been  one  of  far  more  defined  and  positive 
influence  than  it  was.  But,  uncertain  and  indirect, 
in  the  application  of  its  means,  it  was  rare  that  any 
very  serious  obstacle  to  tranquillity  was  removed, 
without  the  employment  of  positive  force.  No 
sooner  was  the  Emperor  involved  in  a  serious  strug 
gle,  than  the  great  princes  endeavored  to  recover 
that  balance  which  had  been  lost  by  the  long 
ascendency  of  a  particular  family,  while  the  minor 
princes  seldom  saw  themselves  surrounded  with  ex 
ternal  embarrassment,  that  internal  discord  did  not 
come  to  increase  the  evil.  As  a  vassal  was  com 
monly  but  a  rude  reflection  of  his  lord's  enmities 
and  prejudices,  the  reader  will  have  inferred  from 
the  language  of  the  cow-herd,  that  affairs  were  not 
on  the  most  amicable  footing  between  those  near 
neighbors,  the  Abbot  of  Limburg  and  the  Count  of 
Hartenburg.  The  circumstance  of  their  existing  so 
near  each  other  was,  of  itself,  almost  a  certain 
cause  of  rivalry ;  to  which  natural  motive  of  con 
tention  may  be  added  the  unremitted  strife  between 
the  influence  of  superstition  and  the  dread  of  the 
sword. 

The  visit  of  the  monk  had  reference  to  certain 
interests  connected  with  the  actual  state  of  things, 
as  they  existed  between  the  Abbey  and  the  Castle. 
As  it  would  be  premature,  however,  to  expose  his 
object,  we  shall  be  content  with  saying,  that  the 
conference  between  the  priest  and  the  hermit  lasted 
for  half  an  hour,  when  the  former  took  his  leave, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  59 

craving  a  blessing  from  one  of  a  life  so  pure  and 
self-denying  as  his  host. 

At  the  door  of  the  hut,  the  monk  found  Gottlob 
who  had  early  been  gotten  rid  of,  it  will  be  remem 
bered,  but  who,  for  reasons  of  his  own,  had  seen  fit 
to  await  the  termination  of  the  conference. 

"  Thou  here,  son  !"  exclaimed  the  Benedictine. 
'*  I  had  thought  thee  at  peace,  in  thy  bed,  favored 
with  the  benediction  of  a  hermit  so  holy !" 

"  Good  fortune  is  sure  to  drive  sleep  from  my 
eyes,  father,"  returned  Gottlob,  dropping  in  by  the 
side  of  the  monk  who  was  walking  through  the 
cedars  towards  the  ancient  gateway  of  the  camp. 
'  I  am  not  of  your  animal  kind,  that  is  no  sooner 
filled  with  a  good  thing  than  it  lies  down  to  rest ; 
but  the  happier  I  become,  the  more  I  desire  to  be 
up  to  enjoy  it" 

"  Thy  wish  is  natural,  and,  although  many  natu 
ral  desires  are  to  be  resisted,  I  do  not  see  the  dan 
ger  of  our  knowing  our  own  happiness." 

"  Of  the  danger  I  will  say  nothing,  father,  but  of 
the  comfort,  there  is  not  a  youth  in  Deurckheim, 
who  can  speak  with  greater  certainty  than  myself." 

"  Gottlob,"  said  the  Benedictine,  insensibly  edging 
nearer  to  his  companion,  like  one  willing  to  commu 
nicate  confidentially,  "since  thou  namest  Deurck 
heim,  canst  say  aught  of  the  humor  of  its  people,  in 
this  matter  of  contention  between  our  holy  Abbot 
and  Lord  Emich  of  Hartenburg  ?" 

"  Were  I  to  tell  thy  reverence  the  truth  that  lies 
deepest  in  my  mind,  it  would  be  to  say,  that  the 
burghers  wish  to  see  the  affair  brought  to  an  end, 
in  such  a  way  as  to  leave  no  doubt,  hereafter,  to 
which  party  they  most  owe  obedience  and  love, 
since  they  find  it  a  little  hard  upon  their  zeal,  to 
have  so  large  demands  of  these  services  made  by 
both  parties." 


60  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Thou  canst  not  serve  God  and  Mammon,  son 
so  sayeth  one  who  could  not  deceive." 

"  And  so  sayeth  reason,  too,  worshipful  monk 
but  to  give  thee  at  once  my  inmost  soul,  I  believe 
there  is  not  a  man  in  our  Deurckheim,  who  believes 
himself  strong  enough  in  learning  to  say,  in  this 
strife  of  duties,  which  is  God  and  which  is 
Mammon  1" 

"  How  !  do  they  call  in  question  our  sacred 
mission — our  divine  embassy — in  short,  our  being 
what  we  are  V9 

"  No  man  is  so  bold  as  to  say  that  the  monks  of 
Limburg  are  what  they  are ;  that  might  be  irrev 
erent  to  th1;  Church,  and  indecent  to  Father  Sieg 
fried  ;  and  the  most  we  dare  to  say  is,  that  they 
seem  to  be  what  they  are  ;  and  that  is  no  small 
matter,  considering  the  way  things  go  in  this  world. 
'  Seem  to  be,  Gottlob,'  said  my  poor  father,  «  and 
thou  wilt  escape  envy  and  enemies ;  for  in  this 
seemliness  there  is  nothing  so  alarming  to  others ; 
it  is  only  when  one  is  really  the  thing  itself,  that  men 
begin  to  find  fault.  If  thou  wishest  to  live  peaceably 
with  thy  neighbors,  push  nothing  beyond  seemiag  to 
be,  for  that  much  all  will  bear,  since  all  can  seem ; 
whereas  being  oftentimes  sets  a  whole  village  in  an 
uproar.  It  is  wonderful  the  virtue  there  is  in  seem 
ing,  and  the  heart-burnings  and  scandal,  ay,  and  the 
downright  quarrels  there  are  in  being  just  what  one 
seems.'  No,  the  most  we  say,  in  Deurckheim,  is 
that  the  monks  of  Limburg  seem  to  be  men  of  God." 

"  And  Lord  Emich  ?" 

"  As  to  Count  Emich,  father,  we  hold  it  wise  to 
remember  he  is  a  great  noble.  The  Elector  has 
not  a  bolder  knight,  nor  the  emperor  a  truer  vassal  ; 
we  say,  therefore,  that  he  seems  to  be  brave  and 
loyal." 

"  Thou  makest  great  account,  son,  of  these  appa 
rent  qualities." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  61 

"Knowing  the  frailty  of  man,  father,  and  the 
great  likelihood  of  error,  when  we  wish  to  judge 
of  acts  and  reasons,  that  lie  deeper  than  our  know 
ledge,  we  hold  it  to  be  the  most  prudent.  No,  let 
us  of  Deurckheim  alone,  as  men  of  caution  !" 

"  For  a  cow-herd,  thou  wantest  not  wit — Canst 
read  ?' 

"  By  God's  favor,  Providence  put  that  little  acci 
dent  in  my  way  when  a  child,  reverend  monk,  and 
I  picked  it  up,  as  I  might  swallow  a  sweet  morsel." 

"  'Tis  a  gift  more  likely  to  injure  than  to  serve 
one  of  thy  calling.  The  art  can  do  little  benefit  to 
thy  herd  !" 

"  I  will  not  take  upon  myself  to  say,  that  any  of 
the  cattle  are  much  the  better  for  it;  though,  to 
deal  fairly  by  thee,  reverend  Benedictine,  there  are 
animals  among  them  that  seem  to  be." 

"  How  !  wilt  thou  attempt  to  ohow  a  fact  not  only 
improbable  but  impossible  ?  Go  to,  thou  hast  fallen 
upon  some  silly  work  of  a  jester.  There  have  been 
numberless  of  these  commissions  of  the  devil  poured 
forth,  since  the  discovery  of  that  imprudent  brother 
of  Mainz.  I  would  gladly  hear  in  what  manner  a 
beast  can  profit  by  the  art  of  printing  ?' 

"  Thy  patience,  Father  Siegfried,  and  thou  shalt 
know.  Now  here  is  a  hind  that  can  read,  and  there 
is  one  that  cannot.  We  will  suppose  them  both  the 
servants  of  Emich  of  Hartenburg.  Well,  they  go 
forth  of  a  morning  with  their  herds ;  this  taking  the 
path  to  the  hills  of  the  Count,  and  that,  having  read 
the  description  of  the  boundaries  between  his  Lord's 
land  and  that  of  the  holy  Abbot  of  Limburg,  taking 
another,  because  learning  will  not  willingly  follow 
ignorance  ;  whereupon  the  reader  reaches  a  nearer 
and  better  pasture,  than  he  who  hath  gone  about  to 
feed  upon  ground  that  has  only  been  trodden  upon 
too  often  before,  by  hoof  of  beast  and  foot  of  man." 

"  mhv   learning    hath   not   done   much   towards 
F 


62  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

clearing  thy  head,  Gottlob,  whatever  it  may  have 
done  for  the  condition  of  thy  herd  !" 

"  If  your  worship  has  any  doubts  of  my  being 
what  I  say,  here  is  proof  of  its  justice,  then— I  know 
nothing  that  so  crams  a  man  and  confuses  him  as 
learning !  He  who  has  but  one  horn  can  take  it  and 
go  his  way ;  whereas  he  that  hath  many,  may  lose 
his  herd  while  choosing  between  instruments  that 
are  better  or  worse.  He  that  hath  but  one  sword, 
will  draw  it  and  slay  his  enemy :  but  he  that  hath 
much  armor,  may  lose  his  life  while  putting  on  his 
buckler  or  head-piece." 

"  I  had  not  thought  thee  so  skilful  in  answers. 
And  thou  thinkest  the  good  people  of  Deurckheiro 
will  stand  neuter  between  the  Abbey  and  the  Count  V 

"  Father,  if  thou  wilt  show  me  by  which  side  they 
will  be  the  greatest  gainers,  I  think  I  might  venture 
to  say,  with  some  certainty,  on  which  side  they  will 
be  likely  to  draw  the  sword.  Our  burghers  are 
prudent  townsmen,  as  I  have  said,  and  it  is  not 
often  that  they  are  found  fighting  against  their  own 
interests." 

"  Thou  shouldst  know,  son,  that  he  who  is  most 
favored  in  this  life,  may  find  the  balances  of  justice 
weighing  against  him  in  the  next ;  while  he  who 
suffers  in  the  flesh,  will  be  most  likely  to  find  its 
advantage  in  the  spirit." 

"  Himmel  !  In  that  case,  reverend  Benedictine, 
the  most  holy  Abbot  of  Limburg  himself  may  fare 
worse  hereafter  then  even  a  hind  who  now  lives 
like  a  dog  !"  exclaimed  Gottlob,  with  an  air  of  ad 
miration  and  simplicity  that  completely  misled  his 
listener.  "  The  one  is  said  to  comfort  the  body  in 
various  ways,  and  to  know  the  difference  between 
a  cup  of  pure  Rhenish  and  a  draught  of  the  washy 
liquors  that  come  from  the  other  side  of  our  moun 
tains  ;  while  the  other,  whether  it  be  of  necessity 
or  inclination  I  will  not  take  upon  myself  to  say. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  63 

drinks  only  of  the  spring.  'Tis  a  million  of  pities 
that  one  never  knoweth  which  to  choose,  present 
ease  with  future  pain,  or  a  starving  body  with  a 
happy  soul !  Believe  me,  Father  Siegfried,  were  thy 
reverence  to  think  more  of  these  trials  that  befall  us 
ignorant  youths,  thou  wouldst  not  deal  so  heavily 
with  the  penances,  as  thine  own  severe  virtue  often 
tempts  thee  to  do." 

"What  is  thus  done  is  done- for  thy  health,  future 
and  present  By  chastening  the  spirit  in  this  man 
ner,  it  is  gradually  prepared  for  its  final  purification, 
and  thou  art  not  a  loser  in  the  eyes  of  thy  fellows, 
by  leading  a  chaste  life.  Thou  wilt  have  justice  at 
the  settlement  of  the  great  account." 

"  Nay,  I  am  no  greedy  creditor,  to  dun  Provi 
dence  for  my  dues.  I  very  well  know  that  what 
will  come  cannot  be  prevented,  and  therefore  I  take 
patience  to  be  a  virtue.  But  I  hope  these  accounts, 
of  which  you  tell  us  so  often,  are  kept  with  sufficient 
respect  for  a  poor  man;  for,  to  deal  fairly  with 
thee,  father,  we  have  not  overmuch  favor  in  settling 
those  of  the  world." 

"  Thou  hast  credit  for  all  thy  good  deeds  with  thy 
fellows,  Gottlob." 

"  I  wish  it  were  true !  To  me  it  seems  that  the 
world  is  ready  enough  to  charge,  while  it  is  as  nig 
gardly  as  a  miser  in  giving  credit — I  never  did  an 
evil  act — and  as  we  are  all  mortal  and  frail,  most 
holy  monk,  these  accidents  will  befall  even  your 
saint  or  a  Benedictine — that  the  deed  itself  and  all 
its  consequences  were  not  set  down  against  me,  in 
letters  that  a  short-sighted  man  might  read ;  while 
most  of  my  merits — and  considering  I  am  but  a 
cow-herd  they  are  of  respectable  quality — seem  to 
be  forgotten.  Now  your  Abbot,  or  his  Highness  the 
Elector,  or  even  Count  Emich " 

"  The  Summer  Landgrave !"  interrupted  the  monk, 
laughing. 


04  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Summer  or  winter,  as  thou  wilt,  Father  Sieg. 
fried,  he  is  Count  of  Hartenburg,  and  a  noble  of 
Leiningen.  Even  he  does  no  deed  of  charity,  or 
even  of  simple  justice,  that  all  men  do  not  seize  upon 
the  occasion  to  proclaim  it,  as  eagerly  as  they  en 
deavor  to  upbraid  me  for  the  accidental  loss  of  a 
beast,  or  any  other  little  backsliding,  that  may  be 
fall  one,  who  being  bold  under  thy  holy  instruction, 
sometimes  stumbles  against  a  sin." 

"  Thou  art  a  casuist,  and,  at  another  time,  I  must 
look  more  closely  into  the  temper  of  thy  mind.  At 
present,  thou  mayst  purchase  favor  of  the  Church 
by  enlisting  a  little  more  closely  in  her  interests.  I 
remember  thy  cleverness  and  thy  wit,  Gottlob,  for 
both  have  been  remarked  in  thy  visits  to  the  con 
vent  ;  but,  until  this  moment,  there  has  not  been  suf 
ficient  reason  to  use  the  latter  in  the  manner  that 
we  may  fairly  claim  to  do,  considering  our  frequent 
prayers,  and  the  other  consolations  afforded  in  thy 
behalf." 

"  Do  not  be  too  particular,  Father  Siegfried,  for 
thy  words  reveal  grievous  penance !" 

"  Which  may  be  much  mitigated  in  future,  if  not 
entirely  avoided,  by  a  service  that  I  would  now  pro 
pose  to  thee,  honest  Gottlob,  and  which  I  will  ven 
ture  to  say,  from  my  knowledge  of  thy  reverence 
for  holy  things,  as  is  manifest  in  thy  attentions  to 
the  pious  hermit,  and  thy  love  for  the  Abbey  of 
Limburg,  thou  wouldst  not  refuse  to  undertake." 

"  So !" 

"  Nay,  I  have  as  good  as  pledged  myself  to  Father 
Bonifacius  to  procure  either  thee,  or  one  shrewd 
and  faithful  as  thee,  to  do  a  trusty  service  for  the 
brotherhood." 

"  The  latter  might  not  be  easy  among  the  cow 
herds!" 

"  Of  that  I  am  sure.  Thy  skill  in  the  manage 
ment  of  the  beasts  may  yet  gain  thee  the  office  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  65 

ending  the  ample  herds  of  the  abbey.     Thou  art 
ilready  believed  fit  for  the  charge." 

"  Not  to  deny  my  own  merits,  sagacious  father,  I 
have  already  some  knowledge  of  the  pastures." 

"  And  of  the  beasts,  too,  Gottlob ;  we  keep  good 
note  of  the  characters  of  all  wrho  come  to  our  con 
fessionals.  There  are  worse  than  thine  among  them, 
I  do  assure  thee." 

"  And  yet  have  I  never  told  thee  half  that  I  might 
say  of  myself,  father  1" 

"  It  is  not  important  now.  Thou  knowest  the  state 
of  the  contest  between  Count  Emich  and  our  Abbey. 
The  service  that  I  ask  of  thee,  son,  is  this ;  and  by 
discharging  it,  with  thy  wonted  readiness,  believe 
me  thou  wilt  gain  favor  with  St.  Benedict  and  his 
children.  We  have  had  reason  to  know,  that  there 
is  a  strong  band  of  armed  men  in  the  castle,  ready 
and  anxious  to  assail  our  walls,  under  a  vain  belief 
that  they  contain  riches  and  stores  to  repay  the  sac 
rilege  ;  but  we  want  precise  knowledge  of  their 
numbers  and  intentions.  Were  we  to  send  one  of 
known  pursuits  on  this  errand,  the  Count  would  find 
means  to  mislead  him ;  whereas,  we  think  a  hind  of 
thy  intelligence  might  purchase  the  Church's  kind 
ness  without  suspicion." 

"  Were  Count  Emich  to  get  Wrnd  of  the  matter, 
he  would  not  leave  me  an  ear  with  which  to  listen 
to  thy  holy  admonitions." 

"  Keep  thine  own  council,  and  he  will  not  suspect 
one  of  thy  appearance.  Hast  no  pretext  for  visiting 
the  castle7?" 

"  Nay,  it  would  be  easy  to  make  a  thousand.  Here, 
I  might  say,  I  wished  to  ask  the  cow-herd  of  Lord 
Emich  for  his  cunning  in  curing  diseased  hoofs, 
or  I  might  pretend  a  wish  to  change  my  service,  or, 
there  is  no  want  of  laughing  damsels  in  and  abou* 
the  hold." 

F2 


66  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Enough :  thou  art  he,  Gottlob,  for  whom  I  have 
sought  daily  for  a  fortnight.  Go  thy  way,  then, 
without  fail,  and  seek  me,  after  to-morrow's  mass, 
in  the  Abbey." 

"  It  may  be  enough  on  the  side  of  Heaven,  father, 
but  men  of  our  prudence  must  not  forget  their  mor 
tal  state.  Am  I  to  risk  my  ears,  do  discredit  to 
rny  simplicity,  and  neglect  my  herd,  without  a  mo 
tive  r 

"  Thou  wilt  serve  the  Church,  son ;  get  favor  in 
the  eyes  of  our  reverend  Abbot,  and  thy  courage 
and  dexterity  will  be  remembered  in  future  indul 
gences." 

"  That  I  shall  serve  the  Church  it  is  well  known 
to  me,  reverend  Benedictine,  and  it  is  a  privilege  of 
which  a  cow-herd  hath  reason  to  be  proud ;  but,  by 
serving  the  Church,  I  shall  make  enemies  on  earth, 
for  two  sufficient  reasons :  first,  that  the  Church  is 
in  no  great  esteem  in  this  valley ;  and  second,  be 
cause  men  never  love  a  friend  for  being  any  better 
than  themselves.  *  No,  Gottlob,'  used  my  excellent 
father  to  say,  *  seem  to  all  around  thee  conscious  or 
thy  unworthiness,  after  which  thou  mayst  be  what 
thou  seemest.  On  this  condition  only  can  virtue  live 
at  peace  with  its  fellow-creatures.  But  if  thou 
wouldst  have  the  respect  of  mankind,'  would  he 
say,  '  set  a  fair  price  on  all  thou  doest,  for  the  world 
will  not  give  thee  credit  for  disinterestedness ;  and 
if  thou  workest  for  naught,  it  will  think  thou  de- 
servest  naught  No,'  did  he  shake  his  head  and  add, 
*  that  which  cometh  easy  is  little  valued,  while  that 
which  is  costly,  do  men  set  a  price  upon.'  '* 

"  Thy  father  was,  like  thyself,  one  that  looked  to 
his  ease.  Thou  knowest  that  we  inhabitants  of  cells 
do  not  carry  silver." 

"  Nay,  righteous  Benedictine,  if  it  were  a  trifle  of 
gold,  I  am  not  one  to  break  a  bargain  for  so  small  a 
difference." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  67 

"  Thou  shalt  have  gold,  then.  On  the  faith  of  my 
holy  calling,  I  will  give  thee  an  image  of  the  Em 
peror  in  gold,  shouldst  thou  succeed  in  bringing  the 
tidings  we  require." 

Gottlob  stopped  short,  and  kneeling,  he  reverently 
asked  the  monk  to  bless  him.  The  latter  complied, 
half  doubting  the  discretion  of  employing  such  an 
emissary,  between  whose  cunning  and  simplicity  he 
was  completely  at  fault.  Still,  as  he  risked  nothing, 
except  in  the  nature  of  the  information  he  was  to 
receive,  he  saw  no  sufficient  reason  for  recalling  the 
commission  he  had  just  bestowed.  He  gave  the  de 
sired  benediction,  therefore ;  and  our  two  conspir 
ators  descended  the  mountain  in  company,  discours 
ing,  as  they  went,  of  the  business  on  which  the  cow 
herd  was  about  to  proceed.  When  so  near  the  road 
as  to  be  in  danger  of  observation,  they  separated, 
each  taking  the  direction  necessary  to  his  object. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"  And  not  a  matron,  sitting  at  her  wheel, 
But  could  repeat  their  story — " 

ROGERS. 

THE  female,  enveloped  in  her  mantle,  had  so  well 
profited  by  the  timely  interposition  of  Gottlob  Frinck, 
as  to  quit  the  hermit's  hut  without  attracting  the  no 
tice  of  the  Benedictine.  But  the  vigilance  of  young 
Berchthold  had  not  been  so  easily  eluded.  He 
stepped  aside  as  she  glided  through  the  door,  then 
stooping  merely  to  catch  the  eye  of  the  cow-herd, 
to  whom  he  communicated  his  intention  by  a  sign, 
he  followed.  Had  the  forester  felt  any  doubts  as  to 
the  identity  of  her  he  pursued,  the  light  and  active 
movement  would  have  convinced  him,  that  age,  at 


68  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

least,  had  no  agency  in  inducing  her  to  conceal  he* 
features.  The  roe-buck  of  his  own  forests  scarce 
bounded  with  more  agility  than  the  fugitive  fled,  on 
first  quitting  the  abode  of  the  recluse ;  nor  did  her 
speed  sensibly  lessen,  until  she  had  crossed  most  of 
the  melancholy  camp,  and  reached  a  spot  where 
the  opening  of  the  blue  and  star-lit  void  showed  that 
she  was  at  the  verge  of  the  wood,  and  near  the 
margin  of  the  summit  of  the  mountain.  Here  she 
paused,  and  stood  leaning  against  a  cedar,  like  one 
whose  strength  was  exhausted. 

Berchthold  had  followed  swiftly,  but  without 
losing  that  appearance  of  calmness  and  of  superior 
physical  force  which  gives  dignity  to  the  steps  of 
young  manhood,  as  compared  with  the  timid  but 
more  attractive  movements  of  the  feebler  sex.  He 
seemed  conscious  of  his  greater  powers,  and  un 
willing  to  increase  a  flight  that  was  already  swifter 
than  circumstances  required,  and  which  he  knew  to 
be  far  more  owing  to  a  vague  and  instinctive  alarm, 
than  to  any  real  cause  for  apprehension.  When  the 
speed  of  the  female  ceased,  his  own  relaxed,  and 
he  approached  the  spot  where  she  stood  panting  for 
breath,  like  a  cautious  boy,  who  slackens  his  haste 
in  order  not  to  give  new  alarm  to  the  bird  that  has 
just  alighted. 

"  What  is  there  so  fearful  in  my  face,  Meta,  that 
thou  fleest  my  presence,  as  I  had  been  the  spirit  of 
one  of  those  Pagans  that  they  say  once  peopled  this 
camp  1  It  is  not  thy  wont  to  have  this  dread  of  a 
youth  thou  hast  known  from  childhood,  and  I  will 
say,  in  my  own  defence,  known  as  honest  and  true !" 

"  It  is  not  seemly  in  a  maiden  of  my  years — it 
was  foolish,  if  not  disobedient,  to  be  here  at  this 
hour,"  answered  the  hurried  girl : — "  I  would  I  had 
not  listened  to  the  desire  of  hearing  more  of  th« 
holy  hermit's  wisdom !" 

"  Thou  art  not  alone,  Meta !" 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  69 

"That  were  unbecoming,  truly,  in  my  father's 
child  !"  returned  the  young  damsel,  with  an  expres 
sion  of  pride  of  condition,  as  she  glanced  an  eye  to 
wards  the  fallen  wall,  among  whose  stones  Berch- 
thold  saw  the  well-known  form  of  a  female  servitor 
of  his  companion's  family.  "  Had  I  carried  impru 
dence  to  this  pass,  Master  Berchthold,  thou  wouldst 
have  reason  to  believe,  in  sooth,  that  it  was  the 
daughter  of  some  peasant,  that  by  chance  had 
crossed  thy  footstep." 

"  There  is  little  danger  of  that  error/'  answered 
Berchthold  quickly.  "  I  know  thee  well ;  thou  art 
Meta,  the  only  child  of  Heinrich  Frey,  the  Burgo 
master  of  Deurckheim.  None  know  thy  quality 
and  hopes  better  than  I,  for  none  have  heard  them 
oftener !" 

The  damsel  dropped  her  head  in  a  movement  of 
natural  regret  and  sudden  repentance,  and  when 
her  blue  eye,  softened  by  a  ray  of  the  moon,  met 
the  gaze  of  the  forester,  he  saw  that  better  feelings 
were  uppermost. 

"  I  did  not  wish  to  recount  my  father's  honors, 
nor  any  accidental  advantage  of  my  situation,  and, 
least  of  all,  to  thee,"  answered  the  maiden,  with 
eagerness ;  "  but  I  felt  concern  lest  thou  shouldst 
imagine  I  had  forgotten  the  modesty  of  my  sex  and 
condition — or,  I  had  fear  that  thou  mightest — thy 
manner  is  much  changed  of  late,  Berchthold  !" 

"  It  is  then  without  my  knowledge  or  intention. 
But  we  will  forget  the  past,  and  thou  wilt  tell  me, 
what  wonder  hath  brought  thee,  to  this  suspected 
and  dreaded  moor,  at  an  hour  so  unusual  ?" 

Meta  smiled,  and  the  expression  of  her  counte 
nance  proved,  that  if  she  had  moments  of  uncharita 
ble  weakness,  they  were  more  the  offspring  of  the 
world's  opinions,  than  of  her  own  frank  and  gene 
rous  nature. 

"  I  might  retort  the  question  on  thee,  Berchthold, 


70  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

and  plead  a  woman's  curiosity  as  a  reason  why 
1  should  be  quickly  answered — Why  art  thou  here, 
at  an  hour  when  most  young  hunters  sleep  V 

"  I  arn  Lord  Emich's  forester ;  but  thou,  as  there 
has  just  been  question,  art  a  daughter  of  the  Burgo 
master  of  Deurckheim." 

"  I  give  thee  credit  for  all  the  difference.  Did 
my  mother  know  that  I  was  thus  about  to  furnis.h  a 
reason  for  my  conduct,  she  would  say,  « Keep  thy 
explanations,  Meta,  for  those  who  have  a  right  to 
demand  them  !'  " 

"  And  Heinrich  Frey  ?" 

"  He  would  be  little  likely  to  approve  of  either 
visit  or  explanation." 

"  Thy  father  loves  me  not,  Meta?" 

'*  He  does  not  so  much  disapprove  of  thee,  Master 
Berchthold,  as  that  thou  art  only  Lord  Emich's  for 
ester.  Wert  thou  as  thine  own  parent  was,  a  sub 
stantial  burgher  of  our  town,  he  might  esteem  thee 
much.  But  thou  hast  great  favor  with  my  dear 
mother !" 

"  Heaven  bless  her,  that  in  her  own  prosperity 
she  hath  not  forgotten  those  who  have  fallen !  I 
think  that,  in  thy  heart  as  in  thy  looks,  Meta,  thou 
more  resemblest  thy  mother  than  thy  father." 

"  I  would  have  it  so.  When  I  speak  to  thee  of 
my  being  the  child  of  Heinrich  Frey,  it  is  without 
thought  of  any  present  difference  between  us,  I  do 
affirm  to  thee,  Berchthold,  but  rather  as  showing 
that  in  not  forgetting  my  station,  I  am  not  likely  to 
do  it  discredit.  Nay,  I  know  not  that  a  'forester's 
is  a  dishonorable  office  !  They  who  serve  the 
Elector  in  this  manner  are  noble." 

"  And  they  who  serve  nobles,  simple.  I  am  but 
a  menial,  Meta,  though  it  be  in  a  way  to  do  little 
mortification  to  my  pride." 

"  And  what  is  Count  Emich  but  a  vassal  of  the 
Elector,  who,  in  turn,  is  a  subject  of  the  Emperor ! 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  71 

Thou  shalt  not  dishonor  thyself  in  this  manner, 
Berchthold,  and  no  one  say  aught  to  vindicate  thee." 

"  Thanks,  dearest  Meta.  Thou  art  the  child  of 
my  mother's  oldest  and  closest  friend,  and  whatever 
the  world  may  proclaim  of  the  difference  that  now 
exists  between  us,  thy  excellent  heart  whispers  to 
the  contrary.  Thou  art  not  only  the  fairest,  but,  in 
truth,  the  kindest  and  gentlest  damsel  of  thy  town  !" 

The  daughter,  only  child,  and  consequently  the 
heiress  of  the  wealthiest  burgher  of  Deurckheim,  did 
not  hear  this  opinion  of  Lord  Emich's  handsome 
forester  without  great  secret  gratification. 

"  And  now  thou  shalt  know  the  reason  of  this  un 
usual  visit,"  said  Meta,  when  the  silent  pleasure  ex 
cited  by  the  last  speech  of  young  Berchthold  had  a 
little  subsided ;  "  for  this  have  I,  in  some  measure, 
promised  to  thee ;  and  it  would  little  justify  thy  good 
opinion  to  forget  a  pledge.  Thou  knowest  the  holy 
hermit,  and  the  sudden  manner  of  his  appearance  in 
the  Heidenmauer  H" 

"  None  are  ignorant  of  the  latter,  and  thou  hast 
already  seen  that  I  visit  him  in  his  hut." 

"I  shall  not  pretend  to  give,  or  to  seek,  the 
reason,  but  sure  it  is,  that  he  had  not  been  a  week 
in  the  old  Roman  abode,  when  he  sought  occasion 
to  show  me  greater  notice  than  to  any  other  maiden 
of  Deurckheim,  or  than  any  merit  of  mine  might 
claim." 

"How!  is  the  knave  but  a  pretender  to  this 
sanctity,  after  all !" 

"  Thou  canst  not  be  jealous  of  a  man  of  his  years ; 
and,  judging  by  his  worn  countenance  and  hollow 
eye,  years  too  of  mortification  and  suffering  !  He 
truly  is  of  a  character  to  give  a  youth  of  thy  age, 
and  gentle  air,  and  active  frame,  and  comely  ap 
pearance,  uneasiness !  But  I  see  the  color  in  thy 
cheek,  Master  Berchthold,  and  will  not  offend  thee 
with  comparisons  that  are  so  much  to  thy  disadvan- 


72  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

tage.  Be  the  motive  of  the  holy  hermit  what  it  will, 
on  the  two  occasions  when  he  visited  our  town  and 
in  the  visits  that  we  maidens  have  often  made  to  his 
cell,  he  hath  shown  kind  interest  in  my  welfare  and 
future  hopes,  both  as  they  are  connected  with  this 
life,  and  with  that  to  which  we  all  hasten,  although 
it  be  with  steps  that  are  not  heard  even  by  our  own 
ears." 

"  It  does  not  surprise  me,  that  all  who  see  and 
know  thee,  Meta,  should  act  thus.  And  yet  I  find 
it  very  strange  !" 

"  Nay,"  said  the  amused  girl,  "  now  thou  justifiest 
the  exact  words  of  old  Use,  who  hath  often  said  to 
me,  *  Take  heed,  Meta,  and  put  not  thy  faith  too 
easily  in  the  language  of  the  young  townsmen ;  for, 
by  looking  closely  into  their  meaning,  thou  wilt  see 
that  they  contradict  themselves.  Youth  is  so  eager 
to  obtain  its  end,  that  it  stops  not  to  separate  the 
true  from  the  plausible.'  These  are  her  very  words, 
and  oft  repeated  too,  which  thou  hast  just  verified 
— I  believe  the  crone  fairly  sleepeth  on  that  pile  of 
the  fallen  wall !" 

"  Disturb  her  not.  One  of  her  years  hath  great 
need  of  rest :  nay,  it  would  be  thoughtless  to  rob 
her  of  this  little  pleasure  !" 

Meta  had  made  a  step  in  advance,  seemingly 
with  intent  to  arouse  her  attendant,  when  the  hur 
ried  words  and  rapid  action  of  the  youth  caused 
her  to  hesitate.  Receding  to  her  former  attitude, 
beneath  the  shadow  of  the  cedar,  she  more  consid 
erately  resumed 

"  It  would  be  ungracious,  in  sooth,  to  awaken  one 
who  hath  so  lately  toiled  up  this  weary  hill." 

"  And  she  so  aged,  Meta !" 

"  And  one  that  did  so  much  for  my  infancy ! 
ought  to  go  back  to  my  father's  house,  but  my  kind 
mother  will  overlook  the  delay,  for  she  loveth  Use 
little  less  than  one  of  her  own  blood." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  73 

*  Thy  mother  knoweth  of  this  visit  to  the  hermit's 
hut,  then?" 

"  Dost  think,  Master  Berchthold,  that  a  Burgo 
master  of  Deurckheim's  only  child  would  go  forth, 
at  this  hour,  without  permission  had  ?  There  would 
be  great  unseemliness  in  such  secret  gossiping,  and 
a  levity  that  would  better  suit  thy  damsels  of  Count 
Emich's  village  :  they  say  indeed,  in  our  town,  that 
the  castle  damsels  are  none  too  nice  in  their  man 
ner  of  life." 

"  They  belie  us  of  the  mountain  strangely,  in  the 
towns  of  the  plain  !  I  swear  to  thee,  there  is  not 
greater  modesty  in  thy  Deurckheim  palace,  than 
among  our  females,  whether  of  the  village  or  of  the 
castle." 

"  It  may  be  true  in  the  main,  and,  for  the  credit 
of  my  sex,  I  hope  it  is  so  ;  but  thou  wilt  scarce  find 
courage,  Berchthold,  to  say  aught  in  favor  of  her 
they  call  Gisela,  the  warder's  child  1  More  vanity 
have  I  never  seen  in  female  form  !" 

"  They  think  her  fair,  in  Hartenburg." 

"  'Tis  that  opinion  which  spoileth  the  creature's 
manner  !  Thou  art  much  in  her  society,  Master 
Berchthold,  and  I  doubt  not  that  use  causeth  thee 
to  overlook  some  qualities  that  are  not  concealed 
from  strangers.  *  Do  but  regard  that  flaunting 
bird  from  the  pass  of  the  Jaegerthal,'  said  the  excel 
lent  old  Use,  one  morn  that  we  had  a  festival  in  our 
venerable  church,  to  which  the  country  round  came 
forth  in  their  best  array  ;  '  one  would  imagine,  from 
its  fluttering,  and  the  movements  of  its  feathers,  that 
it  fancied  the  eye  of  every  young  hunter  was  on  its 
plumage,  and  that  it  dreaded  the  bolt  of  the  archer 
unexpectedly  !  And  yet  have  I  known  animals  of 
this  breed,  that  did  not  so  greatly  fear  the  fowler's 
nand,  if  truth  were  said  !' " 

"  Thou  judgest  Gisela  harshly ;  for  though  of 
some  lightness  of  speech,  and  haply  not  without  ad- 
G 


74  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

miration  of  her  own  beauty,  the  girl  is  far  from 
being  uncompanionable,  or,  at  times,  of  agreeable 
discourse." 

'*  Nay,  I  do  but  repeat  the  words  of  Use,  Master 
Berchthold  !" 

"  Thy  Use  is  old,  and  garrulous,  and  is  like  to 
utter  foolishness." 

"  This  may  be  so — but  let  it  be  foolish,  if  thou 
wilt — the  folly  of  my  nurse  is  my  folly.  I  have 
gained  so  much  from  her  discourse,  that  I  fear  it  is 
now  too  late  to  amend.  To  deal  fairly  with  thee, 
she  did  not  utter  a  syllable  concerning  thy  warder's 
daughter  that  I  do  not  believe." 

Berchthold  was  but  little  practised  in  the  ways 
of  the  human  heart.  Free  in  the  expression  of  his 
own  sentiments  as  the  air  he  breathed  on  his  native 
hills,  and  entirely  without  thought  of  guilt,  as  re 
spects  the  feeling  which  bound  him  to  Meta,  he  had 
never  descended  into  the  arcana  of  that  passion  of 
which  he  was  so  completely  the  subject,  without 
indeed  knowing  even  the  extent  of  his  own  bondage. 
He  viewed  this  little  ebullition  of  jealousy,  therefore, 
as  a  generous  nature  regards  all  injustice,  and  he 
entered  only  the  more  warmly  into  the  defence  of 
the  injured  party.  One  of  those  sieve-like  hearts 
that  have  been  perforated  a  hundred  times  by  the 
shots  that  Cupid  fires,  right  and  left,  in  a  capital, 
would  probably  have  had  recourse  to  the  same  ex 
pedient,  merely  to  observe  to  what  extent  he  could 
trifle  with  the  feelings  of  a  being  he  professed  to 
love. 

Europeans,  who  are  little  addicted  to  looking  into 
the  eye  of  their  cis- Atlantic  kinsman  in  search  of 
the  mote,  say,  that  the  master  passion  of  life  is  but 
a  sluggish  emotion  in  the  American  bosom.  That 
those  who  are  chiefly  employed  in  the  affairs  of  this 
world  should  be  content  with  the  natural  course  of 
the  affections,  as  they  arise  in  the  honest  relations 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  75 

of  the  domestic  circle,  is  quite  as  probable,  as  it  is 
true  that  they  who  feed  their  passions  by  vanity  and 
variety,  are  mistaken  when  they  think  that  casual 
and  fickle  sensations  compose  any  of  the  true  ingre 
dients  of  that  purifying  and  elevated  sentiment, 
which,  by  investing  the  admired  objett  with  all  that 
is  estimable,  leads  us  to  endeavor  to  be  worthy  of 
the  homage  we  insensibly  pay  to  virtue.  In  Berch- 
tnold  and  Meta,  the  reader  is  to  look  for  none  of 
that  constitutional  fervor,  which  sometimes  substi 
tutes  impulse  for  a  deeper  feeling,  or  for  any  of  that 
factitious  cultivation  of  the  theory  of  love,  that  so 
often  tempts  the  neophyte  to  mistake  his  own  hallu 
cinations  for  the  more  natural  attachment  of  sym 
pathy  and  reason.  For  the  former  they  lived  too 
far  north,  and  for  the  latter  it  might  possibly  be  said, 
that  fortune  had  cast  their  lot  a  little  too  far  south. 
That  subtle  and  nearly  indefinable  sympathy  be 
tween  the  sexes,  which  we  call  love,  to  which  all 
are  subject,  since  its  principle  is  in  nature  itself,  ex 
ists  perhaps  in  its  purest  and  least  conventional  form 
precisely  in  the  bosoms  of  those  whom  Providence 
has  placed  in  the  middle  state,  between  extreme  cul 
tivation  and  ignorance  ;  between  the  fastidious  and 
sickly  perversion  of  over-indulgence,  and  the  selfish 
ness  that  is  the  fruit  of  constant  appeals  to  exertion ; 
or  the  very  condition  of  the  two  young  persons  that 
have  been  placed  before  the  reader  in  this  chapter. 
Enough  has  been  seen  to  show  that  Berchthold, 
though  exercising  a  menial  office,  had  received 
opinions  superior  to  his  situation ;  a  circumstance 
that  is  sufficiently  explained  by  the  allusions  already 
made  to  the  decayed  fortunes  of  his  parents.  His 
language  and  manner,  therefore,  as  he  generously 
vindicated  Gisela,  the  daughter  of  the  person  charg 
ed  to  watch  the  approaches  of  Lord  Emich's  castle 
was  perhaps  superior  to  what  would  have  been  ex 
pec  ted  in  a  mere  forester. 


76  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  I  shall  not  take  upon  myself  the  office  of  point 
ing  out  the  faults  of  our  castle  beauty,  if  faults  she 
hath,"  he  said;  "but  this  much  may  I  say  in  hei 
defence,  without  fear  of  exceeding  truth ;  her  father 
is  grown  gray  under  the  livery  of  Leiningen,  and 
there  is  not  a  child  in  the  world  that  showeth  more 
reverence  or  affection  to  him  who  gave  her  being, 
than  this  same  bird  of  thine,  with  its  flaunting 
plumes,  and  the  coquetry  with  the  archer's  bolt !" 

"  'Tis  said,  a  dutiful  daughter  will  ever  make  an 
excellent  and  an  obedient  wife." 

"  The  luckier  then  will  he  be  who  weds  old 
Friedrich's  child.  I  have  known  her  keep  the  gates, 
deep  into  the  night,  that  her  father  might  take  his 
rest,  when  the  nobles  have  frequented  the  forest 
later  than  common ;  ay,  and  to  watch  weary  hours, 
when  most  of  her  years  and  sex  would  find  excuses 
for  being  on  their  pillows.  Now,  this  have  I  often 
seen,  going  forth,  as  thou  mayst  be  certain  by  my 
office,  in  Count  Emich's  company,  in  most  of  his 
hunts.  Nay,  Gisela  is  fair,  none  will  deny ;  and  it 
may  be  that,  among  her  other  qualities,  the  girl 
knows  it." 

"  She  appeareth  not  to  be  the  only  one  of  thy 
Hartenburg  pile  that  is  aware  of  the  fact,  Master 
Berchthold !" 

"  Dost  thou  mean,  Meta,  the  revelling  abbe,  from 
Paris,  or  the  sworn  soldier-monk  of  Rhodes,  that 
now  abide  in  the  castle  ?"  asked  the  young  forester, 
with  a  simplicity  that  would  have  set  the  heart  of  a 
coquette  at  ease,  by  its  perfect  nature  and  openness. 
"Now  thou  touchest  on  the  matter,  I  will  own, 
though  one  of  my  office  should  be  wary  of  opinions 
on  those  his  master  loves,  but  I  know  thy  prudence, 
Meta — Therefore  will  I  say,  that  I  have  half  sus 
pected  these  two  ill-assorted  servants  of  the  church, 
of  thinking  more  of  the  poor  girl  than  is  seemly." 

"Thy  poor  Gisela  hath  cause  to  hang  herself! 


THE  HEIDEJNMAUER.  77 

Truly,  were  wassailers,  like  these  thou  namest,  to 
regard  me  with  but  a  free  look,  the  Burgomaster  of 
Deurckheim  should  know  of  their  boldness !" 

"  Meta,  they  would  riot  dare  !  Poor  Gisela  is  not 
the  offspring  of  a  stout  citizen,  but  the  warder  of 
Hartenburg's  child,  and  there  may  be  some  differ 
ence  in  thy  natures,  too — n'ay,  there  is ;  for  thou  art 
not  one  of  those  that  seek  the  admiration  of  each 
cavalier  that  passeth,  but  a  maiden  that  knoweth  her 
worth,  and  the  meed  that  is  her  due.  That  thou 
hast,  in  something,  wronged  our  beauty  of  the  hold, 
I  needs  must  say;  but  to  compare  thee  with  her, 
either  in  the  excellence  of  the  body  or  that  of  the 
mind,  is  what  could  never  be  done  justly.  If  she  is 
fair,  thou  art  fairer ;  if  she  is  witty,  thou  art  wise !" 

"  Nay,  do  not  mistake  me,  Berchthold,  by  think 
ing  that  I  have  uttered  aught  against  thy  warder's 
daughter  that  is  harsh  and  unseemly.  I  know  the 
girl's  cleverness,  and  moreover  I  am  willing  to  ac 
knowledge,  that  one  cruelly  placed  by  fortune  in 
a  condition  of  servitude,  like  her's,  may  find  it  no 
easy  matter  to  be  always  what  one  of  her  sex  and 
years  could  wish.  I  dare  to  say,  that  Gisela,  did 
fortune  and  opportunity  permit,  would  do  no  dis 
credit  to  her  breeding  and  looks,  both  of  which, 
sooth  to  say,  are  somewhat  above  her  condition." 

"  And  thou  saidst,  thy  mother  knew  of  this  visit 
to  the  hermit?" 

"And  said  truth.  My  mother  has  never  made 
objection  to  any  reverence  paid  by  her  daughter  to 
the  Church  or  to  its  servants." 

"That  hath  she  not! — Thou  art  amongst  the 
most  frequent  of  those  who  resort  to  the  Abbey  in 
quest  of  holy  offices  thyself,  Meta !" 

"  Am  I  not  a  Christian !   Wouldst  have  a  well-re 
spected  maiden  forget  her  duties  ?" 

"  I  say  not  that ;  but  there  is  discourse  amongst 
js  hunters,  that  of  late  the  prior  hath  much  preferred 
G2 


78  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

his  young  nephew,  Brother  Hugo,  to  the  duty  of 
quieting  the  consciences  of  the  penitents.  It  were 
better  that  some  father,  whose  tonsure  hath  a  ring 
of  gray,  were  put  into  the  confessional,  in  a  church 
so  much  frequented  by  the  young  and  fair  of  Deurck 
heim." 

"  Thou  wouldst  do  well  to  write  of  this  to  the 
Bishop  of  Worms,  or  to  our  holy  Abbot,  in  thine 
own  scholarly  hand.  Thou  hast  the  clerkly  gifts, 
Master  Berchthold,  and  might  persuade !" 

"  I  would  that  the  little  I  have  done  in  this  way 
had  not  so  failed  of  its  design.  Thou  hast  had  fre 
quent  proofs  of  its  sincerity,  if  not  of  its  skill,  Meta." 

"  Well,  this  is  idle,  and  leads  me  to  forget  the 
hermit:  My  mother — I  know  not  why — and  now 
thou  makest  me  think  of  it,  I  find  it  different  from 
her  common  rule ;  but  it  is  certain  that  she  in  no 
wise  discourages  these  visits  to  the  Heidenmauer. 
We  are  very  young,  Berchthold,  and  may  not  yet 
understand  all  that  enters  into  older  and  wiser 
heads  !" 

"  It  is  strange  that  the  holy  man  should  seek  just 
us !  If  he  most  urges  his  advice  on  you  among  the 
damsels  of  the  town,  he  most  gives  his  counsel  to 
me  among  the  youths  of  the  Jaegerthal !" 

There  was  a  charm  in  this  idea  which  held  these 
two  young  and  unpractised  minds  in  sweet  thraldom 
for  many  fleeting  minutes.  They  conversed  of  the 
unexplained  sympathy  between  the  man  of  God  and 
themselves,  long  and  with  undiminishing  interest  in 
the  subject,  for  it  seemed  to  both  that  it  contained  a 
tie  to  unite  them  still  closer  to  each  other.  What 
ever  philosophy  and  experience  may  pretend  on  such 
subjects,  it  is  certain  that  man  is  disposed  to  be  su 
perstitious  in  respect  to  the  secret  influences  that 
guide  his  fortunes,  in  the  dark  passage  of  the  world. 
Whether  it  be  the  mystery  of  the  unforeseen  future, 
or  the  consciousness  of  how  much  of  even  his 


THE  HEIDENMAUEK.  79 

most  prized  success  is  the  result  of  circumstances 
that  he  never  could  or  did  control,  or  whether  God, 
with  a  view  to  his  own  harmonious  and  sublime 
ends,  has  implanted  this  principle  in  the  human 
breast,  in  order  to  teach  us  dependence  on  a  supe 
rior  power,  it  is  certain  that  few  reach  a  state  of 
mind  so  calculating  and  reasoning  as  not  to  trust 
some  portion  of  that  which  is  to  come,  to  the 
chances  of  Fortune,  or  to  Providence ;  for  so  we 
term  the  directing  power,  as  the  mind  clings  to  or 
rejects  the  immediate  agency  of  the  Deity,  in  the 
conduct  of  the  subordinate  concerns  o.  .ife.  In  the 
age  of  which  we  write,  intelligence  had  not  made 
sufficient  progress  to  elevate  ordinary  minds  above  the 
arts  of  necromancy.  Men  no  longer  openly  consult 
ed  the  entrails  of  brutes,  in  order  to  learn  the  will  of 
fate,  but  they  often  submitted  to  a  dictation  scarcely 
less  beastly,  and  few  indeed  were  they  who  were 
able  to  separate  piety  from  superstition,  or  the 
grand  dispensations  of  Providence  from  the  insig 
nificant  interests  of  selfishness.  It  is  not  surprising, 
therefore,  that  Berchthold  and  Meta  should  cling  to 
the  singular  interest  that  the  hermit  manifested  in 
them  respectively,  as  an  omen  propitious  to  their 
common  hopes;  common,  for  though  the  maiden 
had  not  so  far  relinquished  the  reserve  she  still  deem 
ed  essential  to  her  sex,  as  to  acknowledge  all  she 
felt,  that  subtle  instinct  which  unites  the  young  arid 
innocent  left  little  doubt  in  the  mind  of  either,  of  the 
actual  state  of  the  other's  inclinations. 

Old  Use  had  consequently  ample  time  to  rest  her 
frame,  after  the  painful  toil  of  the  ascent  between 
the  town  and  the  camp.  When  Meta  at  length  ap 
proached  to  arouse  her,  the  garrulous  wcman  broke 
out  in  exclamations  of  surprise  at  the  shortness  of 
the  interview  with  the  hermit,  for  the  soundness  of 
her  slumbers  left  her  in  utter  ignorance  of  the  ap 
pearance  and  disappearance  of  Berchthold. 


80  THE  HEIDENMAUER, 

"  It  is  but  a  moment,  Meta  dear,"  she  said,  « 
we  came  up  the  hill,  and  I  fear  them  hast  not  given 
sufficient  heed  to  the  wise  words  of  the  holy  man. 
We  should  not  reject  a  wholesome  draught  because 
it  proves  bitter  to  the  mouth,  child,  but  swallow  all 
to  the  last  drop,  when  we  think  there  is  healing  in 
the  cup.  Didst  deal  fairly  by  the  hermit,  and  tell 
him  honestly  of  thy  evil  nature  ?" 

"  Thou  forgettest,  Use,  the  hermit  has  not  even 
the  tonsure,  and  cannot  shrive  and  pardon." 

"  Nay,  nay — I  know  not  that !  A  hermit  is  a  man 
of  God;  and  a  man  of  God  is  holy;  and  any 
Christian  may,  ay,  and  should  pardon;  and  as  to 
shriving,  give  me  a  self-denying  recluse,  who  passes 
his  time  in  prayer,  mortifying  soul  and  body,  before 
any  monk  of  Limburg,  say  I !  There  is  more  vir 
tue  in  one  blessing  from  such  a  man,  than  in  a  dozen 
from  a  carousing  Abbot — I  know  not  but  I  might 
say  fifty." 

"  But  I  had  his  blessing,  nurse." 

"  Well,  that  is  comforting,  and  we  have  not  wea 
ried  our  limbs  for  naught ;  but  thou  shouldst  have 
told  him  of  thy  wish  to  wear  the  laced  boddice,  at 
the  last  mass,  in  order  that  thy  equals  might  envy 
thy  beauty.  It  would  have  been  wholesome  to  have 
acknowledged  that  sin,  at  least." 

"  But  he  questioned  me  not  of  my  sins.  All  his  dis 
course  was  of  my  father's  house,  and  of  my  good 
mother,  and — and  of  other  matters." 

"  Thou  shouldst  then  have  edged  the  boddice  in 
among  the  other  matters.  Have  I  not  always  fore 
warned  thee,  Meta,  of  the  danger  of  pride,  and  of 
stirring  envy  in  the  bosom  of  a  companion  ?  There 
is  naught  more  uncomfortable  than  envy,  as  I  know 
by  experience.  Oh !  I  am  no  longer  young ;  and 
come  to  me  if  thou  wouldst  wish  to  know  what 
envy  is,  or  any  other  dangerous  vice,  and  I  warrant 
thee  thou  shalt  hear  it  well  explained'  Ay,  thou 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  81 

wert  very  wrong  not  to  have  spoken  of  the  bod 
dice !" 

"  Had  it  been  fit  to  confess,  I  might  have  found 
more  serious  sins  to  own,  than  any  that  belong 
to  dress." 

"  I  know  not  that !  Dress  is  a  great  beguiler 
of  the  young  heart,  and  of  the  handsome  face.  If 
thou  hast  beauty  in  thy  house,  break  thy  mirrors 
that  the  young  should  not  know  it,  is  what  I  have 
heard  a  thousand  times ;  and  as  thou  art  both  young 
and  fair,  I  will  repeat  it,  though  all  Deurckheim 
gainsay  my  words,  thou  art  in  danger  if  thou 
knowest  it.  No,  hadst  thou  told  the  hermit  of  that 
boddice,  it  might  have  done  much  good.  What 
matters  it  to  such  a  man,  whether  he  hath  the  ton 
sure  or  not?  He  hath  prayers,  and  fastings,  and 
midnight  thought,  and  great  bodily  suffering,  and 
these  are  surely  worth  as  much  hair  as  hath  ever 
fallen  from  all  the  monks  in  the  Palatinate.  I  would 
thou  hadst  told  him  of  that  boddice,  child  !" 

"  Since  thou  so  wishest  it,  at  our  next  meeting  it 
shall  be  said,  dear  Use  ;  so  set  thy  heart  at  peace." 

"  This  will  give  thy  dear  mother  great  pleasure  ; 
else,  why  should  she  consent  that  a  daughter  of 
her's  should  visit  a  heathenish  camp,  at  so  late  an 
hour?  I  warrant  thee  that  she  thought  of  the 
boddice  !" 

"  Do  cease  speaking  of  the  garment,  nurse ;  my 
thoughts  are  bent  on  something  else." 

"  Well,  if  indeed  thou  thinkest  of  something  else, 
it  may  be  amiss  to  say  more  at  present,  though, 
Heaven  it  knows !  thou  hast  great  occasion  to 
recall  that  vain-glorious  mass  to  thy  mind.  How 
suddenly  thy  communion  with  the  hermit  ended  to 
night,  Meta  !" 

"  We  have  not  been  long  on  the  mountain,  truly, 
Use.  But  we  must  hasten  back,  lest  my  mother 
ihould  be  uneasy." 


82  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  And  why  should  she  be  so  1  Am  I  not  with  thee  ? 
Is  age  nothing,  and  experience,  and  prudence,  and 
an  old  head,  ay,  and,  for  that  matter,  an  old  body 
too,  and  a  good  memory,  and  such  eyes  as  no  other 
in  Deurckheim  of  my  years  hath — I  say  of  my 
years,  for  thou  hast  better ;  and  thy  dear  mother's 
are  little  worse  than  thine — but  of  my  years,  few 
have  their  equal.  At  thy  age,  girl,  I  was  not  the 
old  Use,  but  the  lively  Use,  and  the  active,  and,  God 
forgive  me  if  there  be  vain-glory  in  the  words  !  but 
truth  should  always  be  spoken — the  handsome  Use, 
and  this  too  without  aid  from  any  such  boddice  as 
that  of  thine." 

"  Wilt  never  forget  the  boddice  !  here,  lean  on 
me,  nurse,  or  thy  foot  may  fail  thee  in  the  steep 
descent." 

Here  they  began  to  descend,  and  as  they  were 
now  at  a  point  of  the  path  where  much  caution 
was  necessary,  the  conversation  in  a  great  measure 
ceased. 

He  who  visits  Deurckheim  now,  will  find  suffi 
cient  remaining  evidence  to  show  that  the  town 
formerly  extended  more  towards  the  base  of  the 
mountain  than  its  present  site  would  prove.  There 
are  the  ruins  of  walls  and  towers  among  the  vine 
yards  that  ornament  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  tra 
dition  speaks  of  fortifications  that  have  long  since 
disappeared,  rendered  useless  by  those  improve 
ments  in  \varfare  that  have  robbed  so  many  other 
strong  places  of  their  importance.  Then,  every 
group  of  houses  on  an  eminence  was  more  or  less 
a  place  of  defence ;  but  the  use  of  gunpowder  and 
artillery  centuries  ago  rendered  all  these  targets 
useless,  and  he  who  would  now  seek  a  citadel,  is 
most  sure  to  find  it  buried  in  some  plain  or  morass. 
The  world  has  reached  another  crisis  in  improve 
ment  for  the  introduction  of  steam  is  likely  to  alter 
ill  its  systems  of  offence  and  defence  both  by  lrv\d 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  83 

rind  sea ;  but  be  the  future  as  it  may,  the  skill  of  the 
engineer  had  not  so  far  ripened  at  the  period  of  our 
tale,  as  to  prevent  Meta  and  her  attendant  from 
entering  within  walls  of  ancient  construction,  clum 
sily  adapted  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  imperfect 
state  of  the  existing  art.  As  the  hour  was  early, 
they  had  no  difficulty  in  reaching  the  Burgomaster's 
door  without  attracting  remark. 


CHAPTER  V 

"  What  news  ?" 

"None,  my  lord ;  but  that  the  world  is  grown  honest." 
"  Then  is  doomsday  near !" 

Hamlet. 

WITHIN  the  whole  of  these  widely  extenued 
states,  there  is  scarcely  a  single  vestige  of  the  man 
ner  of  life  led  by  those  who  first  settled  in  the 
wilderness.  Little  else  is  found  to  arrest  the  eye 
of  the  antiquary  in  the  shape  of  a  ruin,  except  the 
walls  of  some  fortress  or  the  mounds  of  an  in- 
trenchment  of  the  war  of  independence.  We  have, 
it  is  true,  some  faint  remains  of  times  still  more  re 
mote  ;  and  there  are  even  a  few  circumvallations, 
or  other  inventions  of  defence,  that  are  believed  to 
have  once  been  occupied  by  the  red  man ;  but  in  no 
part  of  the  country  did  there  ever  exist  an  edifice, 
of  either  a  public  or  a  private  nature,  that  bore  any 
material  resemblance  to  a  feudal  castle.  In  order, 
therefore,  that  the  reader  shall  have  as  clear  a  pic 
ture  as  our  feeble  powers  can  draw,  of  the  hold  oc 
cupied  by  the  sturdy  baron  who  is  destined  to  act  a 
conspicuous  part  in  the  remainder  of  this  legend,  it 
has  become  necessary  to  enter  at  some  length  into 
a  description  of  the  surrounding  localities,  and  of 


84  THE  HEIDEINMAUER. 

the  building  itself  We  say  of  the  reader,  for  we 
profess  to  write  only  for  the  amusement — fortunate 
shall  we  be  if  instruction  may  be  added — of  our 
own  countrymen  :  should  others  be  pleased  to  read 
these  crude  pages,  we  shall  be  flattered  and  of 
course  grateful ;  but  with  this  distinct  avowal  of  oui 
object  in  holding  the  pen,  we  trust  they  will  read 
with  the  necessary  amount  of  indulgence. 

And  here  we  shall  take  occasion  to  hold  one  mo 
ment's  communion  with  that  portion  of  the  reading 
public  of  all  nations,  that,  as  respects  a  writer,  com 
poses  what  is  termed  the  world.  Let  it  not  be 
said  of  us,  because  we  make  frequent  reference  to 
opinions  and  circumstances  as  they  exist  in  our 
native  land,  that  we  are  profoundly  ignorant  of  the 
existence  of  all  others.  We  make  these  references, 
crime  though  it  be  in  hostile  eyes,  because  they  best 
answer  our  end  in  writing  at  all,  because  they 
allude  to  a  state  of  society  most  familiar  to  our  own 
minds,  and  because  we  believe  that  great  use  has 
hitherto  been  made  of  the  same  things,  to  foster 
ignorance  and  prejudice.  Should  we  unheedingly 
betray  the  foible  of  national  vanity — that  foul  and 
peculiar  blot  of  American  character  !  we  solicit 
forgiveness ;  urging,  in  our  own  justification,  the 
aptitude  of  a  young  country  for  falling  insensibly 
into  the  vein  of  imitation,  and  praying  the  critical 
observer  to  overlook  any  blunders  in  this  way,  if 
perchance  we  should  not  manifest  that  felicity  of 
execution  which  is  the  fruit  only  of  great  practice. 
Hitherto  we  believe  that  our  modesty  cannot  justly 
be  impeached.  As  yet  we  have  left  the  cardinal 
virtues  to  mankind  in  the  gross,  never,  to  our 
knowledge,  having  written  of  "  American  courage ;" 
or  "  American  honesty,"  nor  yet  of  "  American 
beauty,"  nor  haply  of  "  American  manliness,"  nor 
even  of  "  American  strength  of  arm,"  as  qualities 
abstracted  and  not  common  to  our  fellow-creatures; 


THE  HEIDEJNMAUER.  85 

out  have  been  content,  in  the  unsophisticated  lan 
guage  of  this  western  clime,  to  call  virtue,  virtue — 
and  vice,  vice.  In  this  we  well  know  how  much 
we  have  fallen  short  of  numberless  but  nameless 
classical  writers  of  our  own  time,  though  we  do  not 
think  we  are  greatly  losers  by  the  forbearance,  be 
cause  we  have  sufficient  proof  that  when  we  wish 
to  make  our  pages  unpleasant  to  the  foreigner,  we 
can  effect  that  object  by  much  less  imposing  allu 
sions  to  national  merits ;  since  we  have  good  reason 
to  believe,  there  exists  a  certain  querulous  class  of 
readers  who  consider  even  the  most  delicate  and 
reserved  commendations  of  this  western  world,  as 
so  much  praise  unreasonably  and  dishonestly  ab 
stracted  from  themselves.  As  for  that  knot  in  our 
own  fair  country,  who  aim  at  success  by  flattering 
the  stranger,  and  who  hope  to  shine  in  their  own 
little  orbits  by  means  of  borrowed  light,  we  commit 
them  to  the  correction  of  a  reproof  which  is  certain 
to  come,  and,  in  their  cases,  to  come  embittered  by 
the  consciousness  of  its  being  merited  by  a  servility 
as  degrading  as  it  is  unnatural.  As  they  dive 
deeper  into  the  secrets  of  the  human  heart,  they 
will  learn  there  is  a  healthful  feeling  that  cannot  be 
repulsed  with  impunity,  and  that  as  none  are  so  re 
spected  as  they  who  fearlessly  and  frankly  maintain 
their  rights,  so  none  are  so  contemned  as  those  who 
ignobly  desert  them. 

During  the  time  that  Berchthold  was  holding  con 
verse  with  Meta,  on  the  mountain  of  the  Heiden- 
mauer,  Emich  of  Leiningen  was  at  rest  in  his  castle 
of  Hartenburg.  It  has  already  been  said,  that  the 
hold  was  of  massive  masonry,  the  principal  material 
being  the  reddish  sand-stone,  that  is  so  abundantly 
found  in  nearly  the  whole  region  of  the  ancient  Pa 
latinate.  The  building  had  grown  with  time,  and 
that  which  had  originally  been  a  tower  had  swelled 
into  a  formidable  and  extensive  fortress.  In  the 
H 


86  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

ages  which  succeeded  th3  empire  of  Charlemagne, 
he  who  could  rear  one  of  these  strong  places,  and 
maintain  it  in  opposition  to  his  neighbors,  became 
noble,  and  in  some  measure  a  sovereign.  He  estab 
lished  his  will  as  law  for  the  contiguous  territory, 
and  they  who  could  not  enjoy  their  own  lands,  with- 
out  submitting  to  his  pleasure,  were  content  to  pur 
chase  protection  by  admitting  their  vassalage.  No 
sooner  was  one  of  these  local  lords  firmly  estab- 
ished  in  his  hold,  by  receiving  service  and  homage 
from  the  husbandmen,  than  he  began  to  quarrel 
with  his  nearest  neighbor  of  his  own  condition. 
The  victor  necessarily  grew  more  powerful  by  his 
conquests,  until,  from  being  the  master  of  one  castle 
and  one  village,  he  became  in  process  of  time  the 
master  of  many.  In  this  manner  did  minor  barons 
swell  into  power  and  sovereignty,  even  mighty  po 
tentates  tracing  their  genealogical  and  political 
trees  into  roots  of  this  wild  growth.  There  still 
stands  on  an  abrupt  and  narrow  ledge  of  land,  in 
the  confederation  of  Switzerland  and  in  the  Canton 
of  Argovie,  a  tottering  ruin,  that,  in  past  ages,  was 
occupied  by  a  knight,  who  from  his  aerie  over 
looked  the  adjoining  village,  and  commanded  the 
services  of  its  handful  of  boors.  This  ruined  castle 
was  called  Hapsbourg,  and  is  celebrated  as  the  cra 
dle  of  that  powerful  family  which  has  long  sat  upon 
the  throne  of  the  Cassars,  and  which  now  rules  so 
much  of  Germany  and  Upper  Italy.  The  King  of 
Prussia  traces  his  line  to  the  House  of  Hohenzol- 
lern,  the  offspring  of  another  castle ;  and  number 
less  are  the  instances  in  which  he  who  thus  laid  the 
corner-stone  of  a  strong  place,  in  ages  when  secu 
rity  was  only  to  be  had  by  good  walls,  also  laid  the 
foundation  of  a  long  line  of  prosperous  and  puissant 
princes. 

Neither  the  position  of  the  castle  of  Hartenburg, 
however,  nor  the  period  in  which  it  was  founded, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  87 

was  likely  to  lead  to  results  great  as  these  just 
named.  As  has  been  said,  it  commanded  a  pass  im 
portant  for  local  purposes,  but  not  of  so  much  mo 
ment  as  to  give  him  who  held  the  hold  any  material 
rights  beyond  its  immediate  influence.  Still,  as  the 
family  of  Leiningen  was  numerous,  and  had  other 
branches  and  other  possessions  in  more  favored  por 
tions  of  Germany,  Count  Emich  was  far  from  being 
a  mere  mountain  chief.  The  feudal  system  had  be 
come  methodized  long  before  his  birth,  and  the  laws 
of  the  Empire  secured  to  him  many  villages  and 
towns  on  the  plain,  as  the  successor  of  those  who 
had  obtained  them  in  more  remote  ages.  He  had 
recently  claimed  even  a  higher  dignity,  and  wider 
territories,  as  the  heir  of  a  deceased  kinsman ;  but 
in  this  attempt  to  increase  his  power,  and  to  elevate 
his  rank,  he  had  been  thwarted  by  a  decision  of  his 
peers.  It  was  to  this  abortive  assumption  of  dignity, 
that  he  owed  the  soubriquet  of  the  Summer  Land 
grave  ;  for  such  was  the  rank  he  had  claimed,  and 
the  period  for  which  he  had  been  permitted  to  bear  it. 
With  this  knowledge  of  the  power  of  their  fam 
ily,  the  reader  will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that 
the  castle  of  the  Counts  of  Hartenburg,  or,  to  be 
more  accurate,  of  the  Counts  of  Hartenburg-Lein- 
ingen,  was  on  a  commensurate  scale.  Perched  on 
the  advanced  spur  of  the  mountain,  just  where  the 
valley  was  most  confined,  and  at  a  point  where  the 
little  river  made  a  short  bend,  the  pass  beneath  lay 
quite  at  the  mercy  of  the  archer  on  its  battlements. 
In  the  fore-ground,  all  that  part  of  the  edifice  which 
came  into  the  view  was  military,  and,  in  some  slight 
degree,  fitted  to  the  imperfect  use  that  was  then 
made  of  artillery ;  while  in  the  rear  arose  that  maze 
of  courts,  chapels,  towers,  gates,  portcullises,  state 
rooms,  offices,  and  family  apartments,  that  marked 
the  usages  and  tastes  of  the  day.  The  hamlet  which 
lay  in  the  dell,  immediately  beneath  the  walls  of  the 


88  THE  HEIDEJNMAUER. 

salient  towers,  or  bastions,  for  they  partook  of  both 
characters,  was  insignificant,  and  of  little  account  in 
estimating  the  wealth  and  resources  of  the  feudal 
lord.  These  came  principally  from  Deurckheim, 
and  the  fertile  plains  beyond,  though  the  forest  was 
not  without  its  value,  in  a  country  in  which  the  ax 
had  so  long  been  used. 

We  have  said  that  Emich  of  Leiningen  was  taking 
his  rest  in  the  hold  of  Hartenburg.  Let  the  reader 
imagine  a  massive  building,  in  the  centre  of  the  con 
fused  pile  we  have  mentioned,  rudely  fashioned  to 
meet  the  wants  of  the  domestic  economy  of  that 
age,  and  he  will  get  a  nearer  view  of  the  interior. 
The  walls  were  wainscoted,  and  had  much  uncouth 
and  massive  carving;  the  halls  were  large  and 
gloomy,  loaded  with  armor,  and  at  this  moment 
pregnant  with  armed  men ;  the  saloons  of  the  me 
dium  size  which  suited  a  baronial  state,  and  all  the 
appliances  of  that  mingled  taste  in  which  comfort 
and  luxury,  as  now  understood,  were  unknown,  but 
which  was  not  without  a  portion  of  the  effect  that 
is  produced  by  an  exhibition  of  heavy  magnificence. 
With  few  but  signal  exceptions,  Germany,  even  at 
this  hour,  is  not  a  country  remarkable  for  the  ele 
gancies  of  domestic  life.  Its  very  palaces  are  of 
simple  decoration,  its  luxuries  of  a  homebred  and 
inartificial  kind,  and  its  taste  is  rarely  superior,  and 
indeed  not  always  equal,  to  our  own.  There  is  still 
a  shade  of  the  Gothic  in  the  habits  and  opinions  of 
this,  constant  people,  who  seem  to  cultivate  the  sub 
tle  refinements  of  the  mind,  in  preference  to  the 
more  obvious  and  material  enjoyments  which  ad 
dress  themselves  to  the  senses. 

Quaint  and  complicated  ornaments,  wrought  by 
the  patient  industry  of  a  race  proverbial  for  this  de 
scription  of  ingenuity;  swords,  daggers,  morions, 
cuirasses,  and  all  sorts  of  defensive  armor  then  in 
use ;  such  needle-work,  as  it  befitted  a  noble  dame 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  89 

to  produce;  pictures  that  possessed  most  of  the 
faults  and  few  of  the  beauties  of  the  Flemish  school ; 
furniture  that  bore  some  such  relation  to  the  garni 
ture  of  the  palaces  of  electors  and  kings,  as  the 
decorations  of  a  village  drawing-room  in  our  own 
time,  bear  to  those  of  the  large  towns ;  a  profuse 
display  of  plate,  on  which  the  arms  of  Leiningen 
were  embossed  and  graven  in  every  variety  of  style , 
with  genealogical  trees  and  heraldic  blazonry  in 
colors,  were  the  principal  features. 

Throughout  the  whole  pile,  there  was  little  ap 
pearance,  however,  of  the  presence  of  females,  or 
even  of  the  means  of  their  accommodation.  Few 
of  that  sex  were  seen  in  the  corridors,  or  offices, 
or  courts;  though  men  crowded  the  place  in  un 
usual  numbers.  The  latter  were  chiefly  grim  and 
whiskered  warriors,  who  loitered  in  the  halls,  or  in 
the  more  public  parts  of  the  castle,  like  idlers  wrait- 
ing  for  the  expected  movement  of  exertion.  None 
among  them  were  armed  at  all  points,  though  this 
carelessly  wore  his  morion,  that  had  buckled  on  a 
breast-plate,  and  another  leaned  listlessly  on  his  ar- 
quebuse  or  handled  his  pike.  Here  a  group  exer 
cised,  in  levity,  with  their  several  weapons  of  of 
fence  ;  there  a  jester  amused  a  crowd  of  sluggish 
listeners,  with  his  ribaldry  and  humor ;  and  number 
less  were  those  who  quaffed  of  the  Rhenish  of  their 
lord.  Although  this  continent  had  then  been  discov 
ered,  the  goodly  portion  which  has  since  fallen  to 
our  heritage  was  still  in  the  hands  of  its  native  pro 
prietors  ;  and  the  plant,  so  long  known  as  the  weed 
of  Virginia,  but  which  has  since  become  a  staple  of 
so  many  other  countries  in  this  hemisphere,  was  not 
in  its  present  general  use  amongst  the  Germans ; 
else  would  it  have  been  our  duty  to  finish  this  hasty 
sketch,  by  enveloping  it  all  in  mist.  Notwithstand 
ing  the  general  air  of  indifference  and  negligence, 
which  reigned  within  the  walls  of  Hartenburg  with- 
H2 


90  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

out  the  gates,  in  the  turrets,  and  on  the  advanced 
towers,  there  was  the  appearance  of  more  than  the 
customary  watchfulness.  Had  one  oeen  there  to 
note  the  circumstance,  he  would  have  seen,  in  ad 
dition  to  the  sentries  who  always  guarded  the  ap 
proaches  of  the  castle,  several  swift-footed  spies  on 
the  look-out,  in  the  hamlet,  on  the  rocks  of  the 
mountain-side,  and  along  the  winding  paths;  and 
as  all  eyes  were  turned  towards  the  valley  in  the 
direction  of  Limburg,  it  was  evident  tnat  the  event 
they  awaited  was  expected  to  arrive  from  that 
quarter. 

While  such  was  the  condition  of  his  hold  and  of 
so  strong  a  body  of  his  vassals,  Count  Emich  him 
self  had  retired  from  observation,  to  one  of  the 
quaint,  half-rude,  half-magnificent  saloons  of  the 
place.  The  room  was  lighted  by  twenty  tapers,  and 
other  well-known  signs  indicated  the  near  approach 
of  guests.  He  paced  the  large  apartment  with  a 
heavy  and  armed  heel ;  while  care,  or  at  least  se 
vere  thought,  contracted  the  muscles  around  a  hard 
and  iron  brow,  which  bore  evident  marks  of  familiar 
acquaintance  with  the  casque.  Perhaps  this  is  the 
only  country  of  Christendom,  even  now,  in  which 
the  profession  of  the  law  is  a  pursuit  still  more  hon 
orable  and  esteemed  than  that  of  arms — the  best 
proof  of  a  high  and  enviable  civilization — but  at  the 
age  of  our  narrative,  the  gentleman  that  was  not  of 
the  Church,  the  calling  which  nearly  monopolized 
all  the  learning  of  the  times,  was  of  necessity  a  sol 
dier.  Emich  of  Leiningen  carried  arms  therefore 
as  much  in  course,  as  the  educated  man  of  this  cen 
tury  reads  his  Horace  or  Virgil ;  and  as  nature  had 
given  him  a  vigorous  frame,  a  hardy  constitution, 
and  a  mind  whose  indifference  to  personal  suffering 
amounted  at  times  to  ruthlessness,  he  was  more 
successful  in  his  trade  of  violence,  than  many  a 


•  THE  HEIDENMAUER.  91 

pale  and  zealous  student  proves  in  the  cultivation  of 
fetters. 

The  musing  Count  scarce  raised  his  looks  from 
the  oaken  floor  he  trod,  as  menial  after  menial  ap 
peared,  moving  with  light  step  in  the  presence  of 
one  so  dreaded  and  yet  so  singularly  loved.  At 
length  a  female,  busy  in  some  of  the  little  offices  of 
her  sex,  glided  before  his  half-unconscious  sight. 
The  youth,  the  bloom,  the  playful  air,  the  neat  coif, 
the  tight  boddice,  and  the  ample  folds  of  the  falling 
garments,  at  length  seemed  to  fill  his  eye  with  the 
form  of  his  companion. 

"  Is  it  thou,  Gisela  ?"  he  said,  speaking  mildly,  as 
one  addresses  a  favored  dependant.  "  How  fareth 
it  with  the  honest  Karl  ? 

"  1  thank  my  lord  the  Count,  his  aged  and  wound 
ed  servant  hath  less  of  pain  than  is  commonly  his 
lot.  The  limb  he  has  lost  in  the  service  of  the 
House  of  Leiningen " 

"  No  matter  for  the  leg,  girl — thou  art  too  apt  to 
dwell  upon  that  mischance  of  thy  parent." 

"  Were  my  lord  the  Count  to  leave  a  limb  on  the 
held,  it  might  be  missed  when  he  was  hurried !" 

"  Thinkest  thou,  child,  that  my  tongue  would 
never  address  the  Emperor  without  naming  the  de 
fect  '{  Go  to,  Gisela ;  thou  art  a  calculating  hussy, 
and  rarely  permittest  occasion  to  pass  without  allu 
sion  to  this  growing  treasure  of  thy  family.  Are 
my  people  actively  on  the  watch,  with  or  without 
their  limbs]" 

"They  are  as  their  natures  and  humors  tend. 
Blessed  Saint  Ursula  knows  where  the  officers  of 
the  country  have  picked  up  so  ungainly  a  band,  as 
these  that  now  inhabit  Hartenburg  !  One  drinketh. 
from  the  time  his  eyes  open  in  the  rnorn  until  they 
shut  at  even;  another  sweareth  worse  than  the 
northern  warriors  that  do  these  ravages  in  the  Pa 
latinate  ;  this  a  foul  dealer  in  ribaldry :  that  a  glutton 


92  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

who  never  moveth  lip  but  to  swallow ;  and  none; 
nay,  not  a  swaggerer  of  them  all,  hath  civil  word 
for  a  maiden,  though  she  be  known  as  one  esteemed 
in  their  master's  household." 

"  They  are  my  vassals,  girl,  and  stouter  men  at 
need  are  not  mustered  in  Germany." 

"  Stout  in  speech,  and  insolent  of  look,  my  Lord 
Count,  but  most  odious  company  to  all,  of  modest 
demeanor  and  of  good  intentions,  in  the  hold." 

"  Thou  hast  been  humored  by  thy  mistress,  girl, 
until  thou  sometimes  forgettest  discretion.  Go  and 
look  my  guests  are  informed  that  the  hour  of  the 
banquet  is  at  hand ; — I  await  the  pleasure  of  their 
presence." 

Gisela,  whose  natural  pertness  had  been  some 
what  heightened  by  an  indulgent  mistress,  and  in 
whom  consciousness  of  more  beauty  than  ordinarily 
falls  to  the  share  of  females  of  her  condition  had 
produced  freedom  of  language  that  sometimes 
amounted  to  temerity,  betrayed  her  discontent  in  a 
manner  very  common  to  her  sex,  when  it  is  undis 
ciplined,  or  little  restrained  by  a  wholesome  educa 
tion.  She  pouted,  taking  care  however  that  Emich's 
eye  was  again  turned  to  the  floor,  tossed  her  head 
and  quitted  the  room.  Left  to  himself,  the  Count 
relapsed  into  his  reverie.  In  this  mariner  did  several 
minutes  pass  unheeded. 

"  Dreaming,  as  usual,  noble  Emich,  of  escalades 
and  excommunication!"  cried  a  gay  voice  at  his 
elbow,  the  speaker  having  entered  the  saloon  unseen 
— "  of  revengeful  priests,  of  vassalage,  of  shaven 
abbots,  the  confessional  and  penance  dire,  thy  rights 
redressed,  the  frowning  conclave,  the  Abbey  cellar, 
thy  morion,  revenge,  and,  to  sum  up  all,  in  a  word 
that  covers  every  deadly  sin,  that  fallen  angel  the 
Devil !" 

Emich  forced  a  grim  smile  at  this  unceremonious 
and  comprehensive  salutation,  accepting  the  offered 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  93 

hand  of  him  who  uttered  it,  however,  with  the  frank 
freedom  of  a  boon  companion. 

"  Thou  art  right  welcome,  Albrecht,"  he  replied, 
"  for  the  moment  is  near  when  my  ghostly  guests 
should  arrive ;  and  to  deal  fairly  by  thee,  I  never 
feel  myself  quite  equal  to  a  single  combat  of  wits 
with  the  pious  knaves;  but  thy  support  will  be 
enough,  though  the  whole  Abbey  community  were 
of  the  party." 

"  Ay,  we  are  akin,  we  sons  of  Saint  John  and 
these  bastards  of  Saint  Benedict.  Though  more 
martial  than  your  monks  of  the  hill,  we  of  the  island 
are  sworn  to  quite  as  many  virtues.  Let  me  see," 
he  added,  counting  on  his  fingers  with  an  air  of  bold 
licentiousness ;  "  firstly  are  we  vowed  to  celibacy 
and  your  Benedictine  is  no  less  so — then  are  we  self- 
dedicated  to  chastity,  as  is  your  Limburg  monk; 
next  we  respect  our  oaths,  as  does  your  Father 
Bonifacius;  then  both  are  servants  of  the  holy  cross;" 
by  a  singular  influence  the  speaker  and  the  Count 
made  the  sacred  symbol  on  their  bosoms,  as  the  for 
mer  uttered  the  word,  "  and,  doubt  it  not,  I  shall  be 
the  equal  of  the  reverend  brotherhood.  They  say 
sin  can  match  sin,  and  saint  should  surely  be  saint's 
equal  I  But,  Emich,  thou  art  graver  than  becometh 
a  hot  carousal,  like  this  we  meditate  !" 

"  And  thou  gay  as  if  about  to  gallant  the  dames 
of  Rhodes  to  one  of  thy  island  festivals !" 

The  Knight  of  Saint  John  regarded  his  attire 
with  complacency,  strutting  by  the  side  of  his  host, 
as  the  latter  resumed  his  walk,  with  the  air  of  a  bird 
of  admired  plumage.  Nor  was  the  remark  of  the 
Count  of  Hartenburg  misapplied,  since  his  kinsman 
and  guest  had,  in  reality,  expended  more  labor  on  his 
toilette  than  was  customary  in  the  absence  of  fe 
males,  and  in  that  rude  hold.  Unlike  the  stern  and 
masculine  Emich,  who  rarely  divested  himself  of  all 
his  warlike  gear,  the  sworn  defender  of  the  Cros» 


94  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

appeared  entirely  in  a  peaceful  guise,  if  the  long 
rapier  that  dangled  at  his  side,  and  which  to  a  much 
later  period  formed  an  indispensable  accompani 
ment  of  one  of  gentle  condition,  could  be  excepted 
from  the  implements  of  war.  His  doublet,  fully 
decorated  with  embroidery,  fringes,  and  loops,  and 
dotted  with  buttons,  was  of  a  pale  orange  stuff,  that 
was  puffed  and  distended  about  his  person,  in  the 
liberal  amplitude  of  the  prevailing  fashion.  The 
nether  garment,  which  scarce  appeared,  however, 
essential  as  it  might  be,  was  of  the  same  material, 
and  cut  with  a  similar  expenditure  of  cloth.  The 
hose  were  pink,  and,  rolling  far  above  the  knee, 
gave  the  effect  of  a  rich  coloring  to  the  whole  pic 
ture.  He  wore  shoes  whose  upper-leather  rose 
high  against  the  small  of  the  leg,  buckles  that  cov 
ered  the  instep,  and  about  the  throat  and  wrists 
there  was  a  lavish  display  of  lace.  The  well-known 
Maltese  cross  dangled  by  a  red  ribbon,  at  a  button 
hole  of  the  doublet ;  not  above  the  heart,  as  is  the 
custom  at  present  among  the  chevaliers  of  the  other 
hemisphere,  but,  by  a  vagary  of  taste,  so  low  as  to 
demonstrate,  if  indeed  there  is  any  allusion  intended 
by  the  accidental  position  of  these  jewels,  that  the 
honorable  badge  was  assumed  in  direct  reference  to 
that  material  portion  of  the  human  frame  which  is 
believed  to  be  the  repository  of  good  cheer ;  an  in 
terpretation  that,  in  the  case  of  Albrecht  of  Vieder- 
bach,  the  knight  in  question,  was  perhaps  much 
nearer  to  the  truth  than  he  would  have  been  willing 
to  own.  After  poising  himself,  first  on  the  point  of 
one  shoe,  and  then  on  the  other,  smoothing  his 
ruffles,  shoving  the  rapier  more  aside,  and  otherwise 
adjusting  his  attire  to  his  mind,  the  professed  soldier 
of  Saint  John  of  Jerusalem  pursued  the  discourse. 

"  I  am  decent,  kinsman,"  he  replied ;  "  fit  to  be 
a  guest  at  thy  hospitable  board,  if  thou  wilt,  in  the 
absence  of  its  fair  mistress,  but  beyond  that  un- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  95 

worthy  to  be  named.  As  for  the  dames  of  our  un 
happy  and  violated  Rhodes,  dear  cousin,  thou 
knowest  little  of  their  humors,  if  thou  fanciest  that 
this  rude  guise  would  have  any  charm  in  their  re 
fined  eyes.  Our  knights  were  used  to  bring  into 
the  island  the  taste  and  improvements  of  every  dis 
tant  land ;  and  small  though  it  be,  there  are  few  por 
tions  of  the  earth,  in  which  the  human  arts,  for  so  I 
call  the  decoration  of  the  human  body,  flourished 
more  than  in  our  circumscribed,  valiant,  and  much 
regretted  Rhodes.  Thus  was  it,  at  least,  until  the 
fell  Ottoman  triumphed  !" 

"  'Fore  God,  I  had  thought  thee  sworn  to  all 
sorts  of  modesty,  in  speech,  life,  and  other  absti 
nences  !" 

"  And  art  thou  not  sworn,  most  mutinous  Emich, 
to  obey  thy  liege  lords,  the  Emperor  and  the  Elector 
— nay,  for  certain  of  thy  lands  and  privileges,  art 
thou  not  bound  to  knight's  service  and  obedience  to 
^he  holy  Abbot  of  Limburg  ?' 

"  God's  curse  on  him  and  on  all  the  others  of  that 
grasping  brotherhood  1" 

"  Ay,  that  is  but  the  natural  consequence  of  thy 
oath,  as  this  doublet  is  of  mine.  If  the  rigid  per 
formance  of  a  vow  is  as  agreeable  to  the  body,  as  we 
are  taught  it  may  be  healthful  to  the  soul,  Count  of 
Leiningen,  where  would  be  the  merit  of  observance  ? 
I  never  don  these  graceful  garments,  but  a  whole 
some  remembrance  of  watchful  nights  passed  on 
the  ramparts,  of  painful  sieges  and  watery  trenches, 
or  of  sickly  cruises  against  the  Mussulmans,  do  not 
present  themselves  in  the  shape  of  past  penances. 
In  this  manner  do  we  sweeten  sin,  by  our  bodily 
pains,  and  by  the  memory  of  hours  of  virtuous 
hardships  !" 

"  By  the  three  sainted  Kings  of  Koeln,  and  the 
eleven  thousand  virgins  of  that  honored  city,  Master 
Albrecht  I  but  thou  wert  much  favored  in  thy  nar- 


96  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

row  island,  if  it  were  permitted  to  thee  to  sin  in  this 
fashion,  with  the  certainty  of  tempering  punishment 
with  so  light  service  !  These  griping  monks  of 
Limburg  make  much  of  their  favors,  and  he  who 
would  go  with  a  safe  skin,  must  needs  look  to  an 
indulgence  had  and  well  paid  for,  in  advance.  I 
know  not  the  number  of  goodly  casks  of  the  purest 
Rhenish  that  little  sallies  of  humor  may  have  cost 
me,  first  and  last,  in  this  manner  of  princely  ex 
penditure  ;  but  certain  am  I,  that  did  occasion  offer, 
the  united  tributes  would  leave  little  empty  space  in 
Prince  Friedrich's  vaunted  tun,  in  his  ample  cellars 
of  Heidelberg!" 

"  I  have  often  heard  of  that  royal  receptacle  of 
generous  liquor,  and  have  meditated  a  pilgrimage 
in  honor  of  its  capacity.  Does  the  Elector  receive 
noble  travellers  with  a  hospitality  suited  to  his  rank 
and  means'?" 

"  That  doth  he,  and  right  willingly,  though  this 
war  presses  sorely,  and  giveth  him  other  employ 
ment.  Thy  wayfaring  will  not  be  weary,  for  thou 
mayst  see  the  towers  of  Heidelberg  from  off  these 
hills,  and  a  worthy  steed  might  be  pricked  from  this 
court  of  mine  into  that  of  Duke  Friedrich  in  a 
couple  of  hours  of  hard  riding." 

"  When  the  merits  of  thy  cellar  are  exhausted, 
noble  Emich,  it  will  be  in  season  to  put  the  Tun  to 
the  proof,"  replied  the  Knight  of  Rhodes,  "  as  our 
esteemed  friend  here,  the  Abbe,  will  maintain,  in 
the  face  of  all  the  reformers  with  which  our  Ger 
many  is  infested." 

In  introducing  another  character,  we  claim  the 
reader's  patience  for  a  moment  of  digression.  What 
ever  may  be  said  of  the  merits  and  legality  of  the 
Reformation,  effected  chiefly  by  the  courage  of  Lu 
ther  (and  we  are  neither  sectarian  nor  unbeliever,  to 
deny  the  sacred  origin  of  the  church  from  which  he 
dissented,)  it  is  very  generally  admitted,  that  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  97 

long  and  undisputed  sway  of  the  prevailing  author 
ity  of  that  age,  had  led  to  abuses,  which  called 
loudly  for  some  change  in  its  administration. 
Thousands  of  those  who  had  devoted  their  lives  to 
the  administrations  of  the  altar,  were  quite  as 
worthy  of  the  sacred  office  as  it  falls  to  man's  lot 
to  become ;  but  thousands  had  assumed  the  tonsure, 
the  cowl,  or  the  other  symbols  of  ecclesiastical  duty, 
merely  to  enjoy  the  immunities  and  facilities  the 
character  conferred.  A  long  and  nearly  undisputed 
monopoly  of  letters,  the  influence  obtained  by  the 
unnatural  union  between  secular  and  religious 
power,  and  the  dependent  condition  of  the  public 
mind,  the  legitimate  consequence  of  both,  induced 
all  who  aspired  to  moral  pre-eminence,  to  take  this, 
the  most  certain,  because  the  most  beaten,  of  the 
paths  that  led  to  this  species  of  ascendency.  It  is 
not  alone  to  the  religion  of  Christendom,  as  it  ex 
isted  in  the  time  of  Luther,  that  we  are  to  look  for 
an  example  of  the  baneful  consequence  of  spiritual 
and  temporal  authority,  as  blended  in  human  insti 
tutions.  Christian  or  Mahommedan,  Catholic  or 
Protestant,  the  evil  comes  in  every  case  from  the 
besetting  infirmity  which  tempts  the  strong  to  op 
press  the  weak,  and  the  powerful  to  abuse  their 
trusts.  Against  this  failing  there  seems  to  be  no 
security  but  an  active  and  certain  responsibility. 
So  long  as  the  severe  morality  required  of  its  min 
isters,  by  the  Christian  faith,  is  uncorrupted  by  any 
gross  admixture  of  worldly  advantage,  there  is  rea 
son  to  believe  that  the  altar,  at  least,  will  escape 
serious  defilement ;  but  no  sooner  are  these  fatal 
enemies  admitted  to  the  sanctuary,  than  a  thousand 
spirits,  prompted  by  cupidity,  rush  rashly  into  the 
temple,  willing  to  bear  with  the  outward  exactions 
of  the  faith,  in  order  to  seek  its  present  and  visible 
rewards, 

I 


98  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

However  pure  may  be  a  social  system,  or  a  re 
ligion,  in  the  commencement  of  its  power,  the  pos 
session  of  an  undisputed  ascendency  lures  all  alike 
into  excesses  fatal  to  consistency,  to  justice,  and  to 
truth.  This  is  a  consequence  of  the  independent 
exercise  of  human  volition,  that  seems  nearly  in 
separable  from  human  frailty.  We  gradually  come 
to  substitute  inclination  and  interest  for  right,  until 
the  moral  foundations  of  the  mind  are  sapped  by  in 
dulgence,  and  what  was  once  regarded  with  the 
aversion  that  wrong  excites  in  the  innocent,  gets  to 
be  not  only  familiar,  but  justifiable  by  expediency 
and  use.  There  is  no  more  certain  symptom  of  the 
decay  of  the  principles  requisite  to  maintain  even 
our  imperfect  standard  of  virtue,  than  when  the  plea 
of  necessity  is  urged  in  vindication  of  any  de 
parture  from  its  mandate,  since  it  is  calling  in  the 
aid  of  ingenuity  to  assist  the  passions,  a  coalition 
that  rarely  fails  to  lay  prostrate  the  feeble  defences 
of  a  tottering  morality 

It  is  no  wonder,  then,  that  the  world,  at  a  period 
when  religious  abuses  drove  even  churchmen  reluc 
tantly  to  seek  relief  in  insubordination,  should  ex 
hibit  bold  instances  of  the  flagrant  excesses  we  have 
named.  Military  ambition,  venality,  love  of  ease, 
and  even  love  of  dissipation,  equally  sought  the 
mantle  of  religion  as  cloaks  to  their  several  objects 
and  if  the  reckless  cavalier  was  willing  to  flesh  his 
sword  on  the  body  of  the  infidel,  in  order  that  he 
might  live  in  men's  estimation  as  a  hero  of  the 
cross,  so  did  the  trifler,  the  debauchee,  and  even 
the  wit  of  the  capital,  consent  to  obtain  circulation 
by  receiving  an  impression  which  gave  currency  to 
all  coin,  whether  of  purer  or  of  baser  metal,  since 
it  bore  the  outward  stamp  of  the  Church  of  God. 

'*  Reformers,  or  rather  revilers,  for  that  is  the 
term  they  most  merit,"  returned  the  Abbe,  alluded 
to  in  the  last  speech  of  Albrecht  of  Veiderbach,  "  I 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  99 

consign  without  remorse  to  the  devil.  As  for  this 
pledge  of  our  brave  Knight  of  Saint  John,  noble 
Count  Emich,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  it  shall  be 
redeemed :  for  I  am  certain  the  cellars  of  Heidel 
berg  can  resist  a  heavier  inroad  than  any  that  is 
likely  to  invade  them  by  such  means.  But  I  am 
late  from  my  chamber,  and  I  had  hoped,  ere  this,  to 
have  seen  our  brethren  of  Limburg  !  I  hope  no  un 
necessary  misunderstanding  is  likely  to  deprive  us 
of  the  satisfaction  of  their  presence,  Lord  Count  ?" 

"  Little  fear  of  that,  so  far  as  it  may  depend  on 
any  disappointment  in  a  feast.  If  ever  the  devil 
tempted  these  monks  of  the  hill,  it  has  been  in  the 
shape  of  gluttony.  Were  I  to  judge  by  the  expe 
rience  of  forty  years  passed  in  their  neighborhood,  I 
should  think  they  deem  abstinence  an  eighth  deadly 
sin." 

"  Your  Benedictine  is  privileged  to  consider  hos 
pitality  a  virtue,  and  the  Abbot  has  fair  license  for 
the  indulgence  of  some  little  cheer.  We  will  not 
judge  them  harshly,  therefore,  but  form  our  opin 
ions  of  their  merits  by  their  deeds.  Thou  hast 
many  servitors  without,  to  do  them  honor  to-night, 
Lord  Emich." 

The  Count  of  Leiningen  frowned,  and,  ere  he 
answered,  his  eye  exchanged  a  glance  with  that  of 
his  kinsman,  which  the  Abbe  might  have  interpreted 
into  a  hidden  meaning,  had  it  attracted  his  obser 
vation. 

"  My  people  gather  loyally  about  their  lord,  for 
they  have  heard  of  this  succor  sent  by  the  Elector 
to  uphold  the  lazy  Benedictines,"  was  the  reply. 
"  Four  hundred  mercenaries  lie  within  the  Abbey 
walls  this  night,  Master  Latouche,  and  it  should  not 
cause  surprise  that  the  vassals  of  Emich  of  Harten- 
burg  are  ready  with  hand  and  sword  to  do  service 
in  his  defence.  God's  mercy  !  The  cunning  priests 
may  pretend  alarm,  but  if  any  here  hath  cause  to  be 


100  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

afraid,  truly  it  is  the  rightful  and  wronged  lord  of 
the  Jaegerthal !" 

"  Thy  situation,  Cousin  of  Hartenburg,"  observed 
the  wearer  of  the  cross  of  Saint  John,  "  is,  in  sooth 
one  of  masterly  diplomacy.  Here  dost  thou  stana 
at  sword's  point  with  the  Abbot  of  Limburg,  ready 
at  need  to  exchange  deadly  thrusts,  and  to  put  this 
long-disputed  supremacy  on  the  issue  of  battle,  while 
thou  callest  on  the  keeper  of  thy  cellar  to  bring  forth 
the  choicest  of  its  contents,  in  order  to  do  hospitality 
and  honor  to  thy  mortal  foe !  This  beateth,  in  all 
niceties,  Monsieur  Latouche,  the  situation  of  an 
abbe  of  thy  quality,  who  is  scarce  churchman 
enough  to  merit  salvation,  nor  yet  deep  enough  in 
sin  to  be  incontinently  damned  in  the  general  mass 
of  evil-doers." 

"  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  we  shall  share  the  com 
mon  lot  of  mortals,  which  is  to  receive  more  grace 
than  they  merit,"  returned  the  Abbe,  a  title  that  in 
fact  scarce  denoted  one  seriously  devoted  to  the 
Church.  "  But  I  trust  this  present  meeting  between 
/he  hostile  powers  may  prove  amicable ;  for,  not  to 
conceal  the  truth,  unlike  our  friend  the  Knight  here, 
I  am  of  none  of  the  belligerent  orders." 

"  Hark !"  exclaimed  the  host,  lifting  a  finger  to 
command  attention:  "Heard  ye  aught?' 

"  There  is  much  of  the  music  of  thy  growlers  in 
the  courts,  cousin,  and  some  oaths  in  a  German  that 
needs  be  translated  to  be  understood ;  but  that  bless 
ed  signal  the  supper-bell  is  still  mute." 

«Go  to! — 'Tis  the  Abbot  of  Limburg  and  his 
brethren,  Fathers  Siegfried  and  Cuno.  Let  us  to 
the  portal,  to  do  them  usual  honor." 

As  this  was  welcome  news  to  both  the  Knight 
and  the  Abbe,  they  manifested  a  suitable  desire  to 
be  foremost  in  paying  the  required  attention  to  a 
personage,  as  important  in  that  region  as  the  rich 
and  powerful  chief  of  the  neighboring  religious  es 
tablishment. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  101 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"  Why  not  f—  The  deeper  sinner,  better  saint." 

BYRON. 

A  WILD  and  plaintive  note  had  been  sounded  on 
a  horn  far  in  the  valley  towards  the  hill  of  Limburg. 
This  melodious  music  was  of  common  occurrence, 
for  of  all  that  dwell  in  Europe,  they  who  inhabit 
the  banks  of  the  Rhine,  the  Elbe,  the  Oder,  and  the 
Danube,  with  their  tributaries,  are  the  most  addicted 
to  the  cultivation  of  sweet  sounds.  We  hear  much 
of  the  harshness  of  the  Teutonic  dialects,  and  of 
the  softness  of  those  of  Latin  origin;  but,  Venice 
•and  the  regions  of  the  Alps  excepted,  nature  has 
amply  requited  for  the  inequality  that  exists  between 
the  languages,  by  the  difference  in  the  organs  of 
speech.  He  who  journeys  in  those  distant  lands 
must,  as  a  rule,  expect  to  hear  German  warbled  and 
Italian  in  a  grand  crash,  though  exceptions  are  cer 
tainly  to  be  found  in  both  cases.  But  music  is  far 
more  common  on  the  vast  plains  of  Saxony  than  on 
the  Campagna  Felice,  and  it  is  no  uncommon  occur 
rence  to  be  treated  by  a  fair-haired  postilion  of  the 
former  country,  as  he  slowly  mounts  a  hill,  with  airs 
on  the  horn  that  would  meet  with  favor  in  the  or 
chestra  of  a  capital.  It  was  one  of  these  melan 
choly  and  peculiar  strains  which  now  gave  the  sig 
nal  to  the  spies  of  Count  Emich,  that  his  clerical 
guests  had  quitted  the  convent. 

"  Heard  ye  aught,  brothers  ?"  demanded  Father 
Bonifacius  of  the  companions  who  rode  at  his  side, 
nearly  at  the  same  moment  that  the  Lord  of  Lein- 
ingen  put  the  same  question  in  his  hold  ;  "  that  horn 
spoke  in  a  meaning  strain  !" 

"  We  may  be  defeated  in  our  wish  to  reach  the 
castle  suddenly,"  returned  the  monk,  already  known 
12 


102  THE  HEIDENMAUER, 

to  the  reader  as  Father  Siegfried ;  "  but  though  we 
fail  in  looking  into  Count  Emich's  secret  with  our 
own  eyes,  I  have  engaged  one  to  do  that  office  for 
us,  and  in  a  manner,  I  trust,  that  shall  put  us  on  the 
scent  of  his  designs.  Courage,  most  holy  Abbot, 
the  cause  of  God  is  not  likely  to  fail  for  want  of 
succor.  When  were  the  meek  and  righteous  ever 
deserted  ?" 

The  Abbot  of  Limburg  ejaculated,  in  a  manner  to 
express  little  faith  in  any  miraculous  interposition  in 
behalf  of  his  cure,  and  he  drew  about  him  the  mantle 
that  served  in  some  degree  to  conceal  his  person, 
spurring  the  beast  he  rode  only  the  quicker,  from  a 
feverish  desire,  if  possible,  to  outstrip  the  sounds, 
which  he  intuitively  felt  were  intended  to  announce 
his  approach.  The  prelate  was  not  deceived,  for 
no  sooner  did  the  wild  notes  reach  the  castle,  than 
the  signal,  which  had  caught  the  attention  of  its 
owner,  was  communicated  to  those  within  the  walls. 

At  the  expected  summons  there  was  a  general 
movement  among  the  idlers  of  the  courts.  Subor 
dinate  officers  passed  among  the  men,  hurrying 
those  away  to  their  secret  lodging  places  who  were 
intractable  from  excess  of  liquor,  and  commanding 
the  more  obedient  to  follow.  In  a  very  few  minutes, 
and  long  before  the  monks,  who  however  pricked 
their  beasts  to  the  utmost,  had  time  to  get  near  the 
hamlet  even,  all  in  the  hold  was  reduced  to  a  state 
of  tranquil  repose ;  the  castle  resembling  the  abode 
of  any  other  powerful  baron,  in  moments  of  pro 
found  security.  Emich  had  seen  to  this  disposition 
of  his  people  in  person,  taking  strict  caution  that  no 
straggler  should  appear,  to  betray  the  preparations 
that  existed  within  his  walls.  When  this  wise  pre 
caution  was  observed,  he  proceeded,  with  his  two 
companions,  to  take  a  station  near  the  door  of  the 
building  more  especially  appropriated  to  the  accom- 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  103 

tnodation  of  himself  and  his  friends,  in  order  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  monks. 

The  moon  had  ascended  high  enough  to  illuminate 
the  mountain-side,  and  to  convert  the  brown  towers 
and  ramparts  of  Hartenburg  into  picturesque  forms, 
relieved  by  gloomy  shadows.  The  signals  appeared 
to  have  thrown  all  who  dwelt  in  the  hamlet,  as  well 
as  they  who  inhabited  the  frowning  hold  which 
overhung  that  secluded  spot,  into  mute  attention. 
For  a  few  minutes  the  quiet  was  so  deep  and  gene 
ral,  that  the  murmuring  of  the  rivulet  which  mean 
dered  through  the  meadows  was  audible.  Then 
came  the  swift  clattering  of  hoofs. 

"  Our  churchmen  are  in  haste  to  taste  thy  Rhe 
nish,  noble  Emich,"  said  Albrecht  of  Viderbach,  who 
rarely  thought ;  "  or  is  it  a  party  of  their  sumpter 
rnules  that  I  hear  in  the  valley  T" 

"  Were  the  Abbot  about  to  journey  to  some  other 
convent  of  his  order,  or  were  he  ready  to  visit  his 
spiritual  master  of  Spires,  there  is  no  doubt  that 
many  such  cattle  would  be  in  his  train ;  for  of  all 
lovers  of  fat  cheer,  Wilhelm  of  Venloo,  who  has 
been  styled  Bonifacius  in  his  baptism  of  office,  is  he 
that  most  worships  the  fruits  of  the  earth.  I  would 
he  and  all  his  brotherhood  were  spiritually  planted 
in  the  garden  of  Eden  !  They  should  be  well  water 
ed  with  my  tears !" 

"  The  wish  hath  a  saintly  odor,  but  may  not  be 
accomplished  without  mortal  aid — unless  thou  hast 
favor  with  the  Prince  Elector  of  Koeln,  who  might 
haply  do  thee  that  service,  in  the  way  of  miracle." 

"  Thou  triflest,  knight,  in  a  matter  of  great  grav 
ity,"  answered  Emich  roughly,  for,  notwithstanding 
his  inherited  and  deadly  dislike  of  the  particular 
portion  of  the  church  which  interfered  with  his  own 
power,  the  Count  of  Hartenburg  had  all  the  depend 
ence  on  superior  knowledge  that  is  the  unavoidable 
offspring  of  a  limited  education.  "  The  Prince  Elec 


104  THE  HE1DEINMAUER. 

tor  hath  served  many  noble  families  in  the  way  thoa 
namest,  and  he  might  do  honor  to  houses  less  de 
serving  of  his  grace,  than  that  of  Leiningen.  But 
here  cometh  the  Abbot  and  his  boon  associates. 
God's  curse  await  them  for  their  pride  and  avarice!" 

The  clattering  of  hoofs  had  been  gradually  in 
creasing,  and  was  now  heard  even  on  the  pavement 
of  the  outer  court ;  for  in  order  to  do  honor  to  his 
guests,  the  count  had  especially  ordered  there  should 
be  no  delay  or  impediment  from  gate,  portcullis,  or 
bridge. 

"  Welcome,  and  reverence  for  thy  churchly  office, 
right  holy  Abbot!"  cried  Emich,  from  whose  lips 
had  just  parted  the  malediction,  advancing  officiously 
to  aid  the  prelate  in  dismounting — "  Thou  art  wel 
come,  brothers  both ;  worthy  companions  of  thy 
respected  and  honored  chief." 

The  churchmen  alighted,  assisted  by  the  menials 
of  Hartenburg,  with  much  show  of  honor  on  the 
part  of  the  Count  himself,  and  on  that  of  his  friends. 
When  fairly  on  their  feet,  they  courteously  returned 
the  greetings. 

"  Peace  be  with  thee,  son,  and  with  this  cavalier 
and  servitor  of  the  Church !"  said  Father  Bonifacius, 
signing  with  the  rapid  manner  in  which  a  Catholic 
priest  scatters  his  benedictions.  "  St.  Benedict  and 
the  Virgin  take  ye  all  in  their  holy  keeping !  I  trust; 
noble  Emich,  we  have  not  given  thee  cause  of  vex 
ation,  by  some  little  delay  ?" 

"  Thou  never  comest  amiss,  father,  be  it  at  morn, 
or  be  it  at  even ;  I  esteem  Hartenburg  more  than 
honored,  when  thy  reverend  head  passeth  beneath 
its  portals." 

"  We  had  every  desire  to  embrace  thee,  son,  but 
certain  offices  of  religion,  that  may  not  be  neglectedj 
kept  us  from  the  pleasure.     But  let  us  within ;  for 
I  fear  the  evening  air  may  do  injury  to  those  tha 
are  uncloaked." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  105 

At  this  considerate  suggestion,  Emich,  with  much 
show  of  respect  to  his  guests,  ushered  them  into  the 
'apartment  he  had  himself  so  lately  quitted.  Here 
recommenced  the  show  of  those  wily  courtesies 
which,  in  that  semi-barbarous  and  treacherous  age, 
often  led  men  to  a  heartless  and  sometimes  to  a  blas 
phemous  trifling  with  the  most  sacred  obligations,  to 
effect  their  purposes,  and  which,  in  our  times,  has 
degenerated  to  a  deception,  that  is  more  measured 
perhaps,  but  which  is  scarcely  less  sophisticated  and 
vicious.  Much  was  said  of  mutual  satisfaction  at 
this  opportunity  of  commingling  spirits,  and  the 
blunt  professions  of  the  sturdy  but  politic  baron, 
were  more  than  met  by  the  pretending  sanctity  and 
official  charity  of  the  priest. 

The  Abbot  of  Limburg  and  his  companions  had 
come  to  the  intended  feast  with  vestments  that  par 
tially  concealed  their  characters;  but  when  the 
outer  cloaks  and  the  other  garments  were  removed, 
they  remained  in  the  usual  attire  of  their  order,  the 
prelate  being  distinguished  from  his  inferiors  by 
those  symbols  of  clerical  rank,  which  it  was  usual 
for  one  of  his  authority  to  display,  when  not  en 
gaged  in  the  ministrations  of  the  altar. 

When  the  guests  were  at  their  ease,  the  conver 
sation  took  a  less  personal  direction,  for  though  rude 
and  unnurtured  as  his  own  war-horse,  as  regards 
most  that  is  called  cultivation  in  our  bookish  days, 
Emich  of  Hartenburg  wanted  for  none  of  the  cour 
tesies  that  became  his  rank,  more  especially  as 
civilities  of  this  nature  were  held  to  be  worthy  of 
a  feudal  lord,  and  in  that  particular  region. 

•"  'Tis  said,  reverend  Abbot,"  continued  the  host 
pushing  the  discourse  to  a  point  that  might  favor  his 
own  secret  views,  that  our  common  master,  the 
Prince  Elector,  is  sorely  urged  by  his  enemies,  and 
that  there  are  even  fears  a  stranger  may  usurp  the 
rule  in  the  noble  Castle  of  Heidelberg.  Hast  thou 


106  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

heard  aught  of  his  late  distresses,  or  of  the  necesi* 
ties  that  bear  upon  his  house  ?" 

"  Masses  have  been  said  for  his  benefit  in  all  ouf 
chapels,  and  there  are  hourly  prayers  that  he  may 
prevail  against  his  enemies.  In  virtue  of  a  conces 
sion  made  to  the  abbey,  by  our  common  father  at 
Rome,  we  offer  liberal  indulgences,  too,  to  all  that 
take  up  arms  in  this  behalf." 

"  Thou  art  much  united  in  love  with  Duke  Fried- 
rich,  holy  prelate  I"  muttered  Emich. 

"  We  owe  him  such  respect  as  all  should  willingly 
pay  to  the  strong  temporal  arm  that  shields  them  ; 
our  serious  fealty  is  due  alone  to  heaven.  But  how 
comes  it  that  so  stout  a  baron,  one  so  much  esteemed 
in  warlike  exercises,  and  so  well  known  in  danger 
ous  enterprises,  rests  in  his  doublet,  at  a  time  when 
his  sovereign's  throne  is  tottering  1  We  had  heard 
that  thou  wert  summoning  thy  people,  Herr  Count, 
and  thought  it  had  been  in  the  Elector's  interest." 

"  Friedrich  hath  not  of  late  given  me  cause  to 
love  him.  If  I  have  called  my  vassals  about  me, 
'tis  because  the  times  teach  every  noble  to  be  wary 
of  his  rights.  I  have  consorted  so  much  of  late 
with  my  cousin  of  Viederbach,  this  self-denying 
Knight  of  Rhodes,  that  martial  thoughts  will  obtrude 
even  on  the  brain  of  one,  peaceful  and  homebred  as 
thy  poor  neighbor  and  penitent." 

The  Abbot  bowed  and  smiled,  like  one  who  gave 
full  credit  to  the  speaker's  words,  while  a  by-play 
arose  between  the  wandering  and  houseless  knight, 
the  abbe,  and  the  brothers  of  Limburg.  In  this 
manner  did  a  few  minutes  wear  away,  when  a 
flourish  of  trumpets  announced  that  the  expected 
banquet  awaited  its  guests.  Menials  lighted  the 
party  to  the  hall  in  which  the  board  was  spread, 
and  much  ceremonious  form  was  observed  in  as 
signing  to  each  of  the  individuals  the  place  suited 
to  his  rank  and  character.  Count  Emich,  who  in 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  10? 

common  was  of  a  nature  too  blunt  and  severe  to 
waste  his  efforts  in  superfluous  breeding,  now 
showed  himself  earnest  to  please,  for  he  had  at 
heart  an  object  that  he  knew  was  in  danger  of 
being  baffled  by  the  more  practised  artifices  of  the 
monks.  During  the  preliminary  movements  of  the 
feast,  which  had  all  the  gross  and  all  the  profuse 
hospitality  which  distinguished  such  entertainments, 
he  neglected  no  customary  observance.  The  ro 
bust  and  sensual  Abbot  was  frequently  plied  with 
both  cup  and  dish,  while  the  inferior  monks  re 
ceived  the  same  agreeable  attentions  from  Albrecht 
of  Viederbach,  and  Monsieur  Latouche,  who,  not 
withstanding  it  suited  his  convenience  to  pass 
through  life  under  the  guise  of  a  churchman,  was 
none  the  worse  at  board  or  revel.  As  the  viands 
and  the  generous  liquors  began  to  operate  on  the 
physical  functions  of  the  brothers,  however,  they  in 
sensibly  dropped  their  masks,  and  each  discovered 
more  of  those  natural  qualities,  which  usually  lay 
concealed  from  casual  observation. 

It  was  a  rule  of  the  Benedictines  to  practise  hos 
pitality.  The  convent  door  was  never  closed 
against  the  wayfarer,  and  he  who  applied  for 
shelter  and  food  was  certain  of  obtaining  both,  ad 
ministered  more  or  less  in  a  manner  suited  to  the 
applicant's  ordinary  habits.  The  practice  of  a  vir 
tue  so  costly  was  a  sufficient  pretence  for  accumu 
lating  riches,  and  he  who  travels  at  this  day  in 
Europe  will  find  ample  proofs  that  the  means  of 
carrying  into  effect  this  law  of  the  order  were 
abundantly  supplied.  Abbeys  of  this  particular 
class  of  monks  are  still  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the 
forest  cantons  of  Switzerland,  Germany,  and  in 
most  of  the  other  Catholic  states.  But  the  gradual 
and  healthful  transfer  of  political  power  from  cler 
ical  to  laical  hands,  has  long  since  shorn  them  of 
their  temporal  lustre.  Many  of  these  abbots  were 


108  THE  HlilDENMAUfiR- 

formerly  princes  of  the  empire,  and  several  of  the 
communities  exerciser!  sovereign  sway  over  territo 
ries  that  have  since  taken  to  themselves  the  charac 
ter  of  independent  states. 

While  the  spiritual  charge  and  the  mortifications 
believed  to  characterize  a  brotherhood  of  Benedic 
tines,  were  more  especially  left  to  a  subordinate 
monk  termed  the  prior,  the  abbot,  or  head  of  the 
establishment,  was  expected  to  preside  not  only 
over  the  temporalities,  but  at  the  board.  This  fre 
quent  communication  with  the  vulgar  interests  of 
life,  and  the  constant  indulgence  in  its  grosser  grati 
fications,  were  but  ill  adapted  to  the  encouragement 
of  the  monastic  virtues.  We  have  already  remarked 
that  the  intimate  connexion  between  the  interests  of 
life  and  those  of  the  church  is  destructive  of  apos 
tolical  character.  This  blending  of  God  with  Mam 
mon,  this  device  of  converting  the  revealed  ordi 
nances  of  the  Master  of  the  Universe  into  a  species 
of  buttress  to  uphold  temporal  sway,  though  habit 
has  so  long  rendered  it  familiar  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  other  hemisphere,  and  even  to  a  large  portion 
of  those  who  dwell  in  this,  is,  in  our  American  eyes, 
only  a  little  removed  from  blasphemy ;  but  the  tri 
umphs  of  the  press,  and  the  changes  made  by  the 
steady  advances  of  public  opinion,  have  long  since 
done  away  with  a  multitude  of  still  more  equivocal 
usages,  that  were  as  familiar  to  those  who  existed 
three  centuries  ago,  as  our  own  customs  to  us  at 
this  hour.  When  prelates  were  seen  in  armor, 
leading  their  battalions  to  slaughter,  it  is  not  to  be 
supposed  that  the  other  dignitaries  of  this  privileged 
class,  would  be  more  tender  of  appearances  than 
was  exacted  by  the  opinions  of  the  age. 

Wilhelm  of  Venloo,  known  since  his  elevation  as 
Bonifacius  of  Limburg,  was  not  possessed  of  all 
that  temporal  authority,  however,  which  tempted  so 
many  of  his  peers  to  sin.  Still  he  was  the  head  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  109 

a  rich,  powerful,  and  respected  brotherhood,  that 
had  many  allodial  rights  in  lands  beyond  the  abbey 
walls,  and  which  was  not  without  its  claims  to  the 
fealty  of  sundry  dependants.  Of  vigorous  mind 
and  body,  this  dignified  churchman  commanded 
much  influence  by  means  of  a  species  of  character 
that  often  crosses  us  in  life,  a  sturdy  independence 
of  thought  and  action  that  imposed  on  the  credulous 
and  timid,  and  which  sometimes  caused  the  bold 
and  intelligent  to  hesitate.  His  reputation  was  far 
greater  for  learning  than  for  piety,  and  his  besetting 
sin  was  well  known  to  be  a  disposition  to  encounter 
the  shock  between  the  powers  of  mind  and  matter, 
as  both  were  liable  to  be  affected  by  deep  potations 
and  gross  feeding — a  sort  of  degeneracy  to  which 
all  are  peculiarly  liable,  who  place  an  unnatural 
check  on  the  ordinary  and  healthful  propensities  of 
nature — just  as  one  sense  is  known  to  grow  in 
acuteness  as  it  is  deprived  of  a  fellow.  The  abbot 
loosened  his  robe,  and  threw  his  cowl  still  farther 
from  his  neck,  while  Emich  pledged  him  in  Rhenish, 
cup  after  cup ;  and  by  the  time  the  meats  were  re 
moved,  and  the  powers  of  digestion,  or  we  might 
better  say  of  retention,  would  endure  no  more,  his 
heavy  cheeks  became  flushed,  his  bright,  deeply- 
seated,  and  searching  gray  eyes  flashed  with  a  spe 
cies  of  ferocious  delight,  and  his  lip  frequently  quiv 
ered,  as  the  clay  gave  eloquent  evidence  of  its  en- 
ament.  Still  his  voice,  though  it  had  lost  its  re 
ed  and  schooled  tones,  was  firm,  deep,  and  au 
thoritative,  and  ever  and  anon  he  threw  into  his 
discourse  some  severe  and  pointed  sarcasm,  bitingly 
scornful.  His  subordinates,  too,  gave  similar  proofs 
of  the  gradual  lessening  of  their  caution,  though  in 
degrees  far  less  imposing,  we  had  almost  said  less 
grand,  than  that  which  rendered  the  sensual  excite 
ment  of  their  superior  so  remarkable.  Albrecht 
and  the  abbe  also  betrayed,  each  in  his  own  manner, 
K 


110  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  influence  of  the  banquet,  and  all  became  garru» 
lous,  disputative,  and  noisy. 

Not  so  with  Emich  of  Hartenburg.  He  had 
eaten  in  a  manner  to  do  justice  to  his  vast  frame 
and  bodily  wants,  and  he  drank  fairly ;  but,  until 
this  moment,  the  nicest  observer  would  have  been 
puzzled  to  detect  any  decrease  of  his  powers.  The 
blue  of  his  large  leaden  eyes  became  brighter,  it  is 
true,  but  their  expression  was  yet  in  command,  and 
their  language  courteous. 

"  Thou  dost  but  little  compliment  to  my  poor  fare, 
most  holy  Abbot,"  cried  the  host,  as  he  witnessed  a 
lingering  look  of  the  prelate,  whose  eye  followed 
the  delicious  fragments  of  a  wild  boar  from  the  hall 
— "  If  the  knaves  have  stinted  thee  in  the  choice  of 
morsels,  by  St.  Benedict !  but  the  mountains  of  my 
chase  can  still  furnish  other  animals  of  the  kind — 
How  now " 

"  I  pray  thee,  mercy,  noble  Emich  !  Thy  for 
ester  hath  done  thee  fair  justice  with  his  spear ;  more 
savory  beast  never  smoked  at  table." 

"  It  fell  by  the  hand  of  young  Berchthold,  the 
burgher  of  Deurckheim's  orphan.  'Tis  a  bold  youth 
in  the  forest,  and  I  doubt  not,  his  will  one  day  be  a 
ready  hand  in  battle.  Thou  knowest  him  I  mean, 
father,  for  he  is  often  at  thy  abbey  confessionals." 

"  He  is  better  known  to  the  prior  than  to  one  so 
busied  with  worldly  cares  as  I.  Is  the  youth  at 
hand  ?  I  would  fain  render  him  thanks." 

"  Hear  ye  that,  varlet !  Bid  my  head  forester 
appear.  The  reverend  and  noble  Abbot  of  Limburg 
owes  him  grace." 

"  Didst  thou  say  the  youth  was  of  Deurckheim  ?" 

"  Of  that  goodly  town,  reverend  priest ;  and, 
though  reduced  by  evil  chances  to  be  the  ranger  of 
my  woods,  a  lad  of  mettle  in  the  chase,  and  of  no 
bad  discourse  in  moments  of  ease." 

"  Thou  claimest  hard  service,  Cousin  of  Harten- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  Ill 

burg,  of  these  peaceful  townsmen !  Were  they  left 
freely  to  choose  between  the  ancient  duty  of  our 
convent,  and  this  stirring  life  thou  leadest  the 
artisans,  we  should  have  more  penitents  within  our 
walls." 

The  feality  of  Deurckheim  was  a  long  mooted 
point  between  the  corporation  of  Limburg  and  the 
house  of  Leiningen,  and  the  allusion  of  the  monk 
was  not  thrown  away  upon  his  host.  Emich's 
brow  clouded,  and  for  a  moment  it  threatened  a 
storm  ;  but,  recovering  his  self-command,  he  an 
swered  in  a  tone  of  hilarity,  though  with  sufficient 
coolness  : — 

"  Thy  words  remind  me  of  present  affairs,  rever 
end  Bonifacius,  and  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  put 
a  sudden  check  on  festivities  which  were  getting 
warm  without  an  object."  The  Count  arose,  and 
filled  to  the  brim  a  cup  of  horn,  elaborately  orna 
mented  with  gold,  drawing  the  attention  of  all  at 
table  to  himself  by  the  action.  "  Nobles  and  rever 
end  servants  of  God,"  he  continued,  "  I  drink  to  the 
health  and  happiness  of  the  honored  Wilhelm  of 
Venloo,  the  holy  Abbot  of  Limburg,  and  my  loving 
neighbor.  May  his  brotherhood  never  know  a 
worse  guide,  and  may  the  lives  and  contentment  of 
all  that  now  belong  to  it,  be  as  lasting  as  the  abbey 
walls." 

Emich  concluded  the  potent  cup  at  a  single 
draught.  In  order  to  do  honor  to  the  mitred  monk, 
there  had  been  placed  by  the  side  of  Bonifacius,  a 
vessel  of  agate  richly  decorated  with  jewelry,  an 
heir-loom  of  the  house  of  Leiningen.  While  his 
host  was  speaking,  the  looks  of  the  latter  watched 
every  expression  of  his  countenance,  through  gray, 
overhanging,  shaggy  brows,  that  shaded  the  upper 
part  of  his  face  like  a  screen  of  shrubbery  planted 
to  shut  out  prying  eyes  from  a  close ;  and  he  paused 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

when  the  health  was  given.  Then,  rising  in  his 
turn,  he  quaffed  a  compliment  in  return. 

"  I  drink  of  this  pure  and  wholesome  liquor,"  he 
said,  "  to  the  noble  Emich  of  Leiningen,  to  all  of  his 
ancient  and  illustrious  house,  to  his  and  their  present 
hopes,  and  to  their  final  deliverance.  May  this 
goodly  hold,  and  the  happiness  of  its  lord,  endure  as 
long  as  those  walls  of  Limburg  of  which  the  Count 
has  spoken,  and  which,  were  his  loving  wishes  con 
sulted,  would  doubtless  stand  for  ever." 

"  By  the  life  of  the  emperor,  learned  Bonifacius  !" 
exclaimed  Emich,  striking  his  fist  on  the  table  with 
force,  "  you  as  much  exceed  one  of  my  narrow  wit 
in  wishes,  as  in  godliness  and  other  excellencies ! 
But  I  pretend  not  to  set  limits  to  my  desires  in 
your  behalf,  and  throw  the  fault  of  my  imperfect 
speech  on  a  youth  that  had  more  to  do  with  the 
sword  than  with  the  breviary.  And  now  let  us  to 
serious  concerns.  It  may  not  be  known  to  you, 
Cousin  of  Viederbach,  or  to  this  obliging  church 
man  who  honors  Hartenburg  with  his  presence, 
that  there  has  been  subject  of  amicable  dispute  be 
tween  the  brotherhood  of  Limburg  and  my  un 
worthy  house,  touching  the  matter  of  certain  wines, 
that  are  believed  by  the  one  party  to  be  its  dues, 
and  by  the  other  to  be  a  mere  pious  grace  accorded 
to  the  church " 

"  Nay,  noble  Emich,"  interrupted  the  Abbot,  "  we 
have  never  held  the  point  to  be  disputable  in  any 
manner.  The  lands  in  question  are  held  of  us  in 
soccage ;  and,  in  lieu  of  bodily  service,  we  have 
long  since  commuted  for  the  produce  of  vines  that 
might  be  named." 

"  I  cry  you  mercy ;  if  there  be  dues  at  all,  they 
come  of  naught  else  than  knight's  service.  None 
of  my  name  or  lineage  ever  paid  less  to  mortal !" 

"  Let  it  be   thus,"   Bonifacius   answered    more 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  113 

mildly.     "  The  question  is  of  the  amount  of  liquor, 
and  not  of  the  tenure  whence  it  comes." 

"  Thou  sayest  right,  wise  Abbot,  and  I  cry  mercy 
of  these  listeners.  State  thou  the  matter,  reverend 
Bonifacius,  that  our  friends  may  know  the  humor 
on  which  we  are  madly  bent." 

The  Count  of  Hartenburg  succeeded  in  swallow- 
Ing  his  rising  ire,  and  made  a  gesture  of  courtesy 
towards  the  Abbot,  as  he  concluded.  Father  Boni 
facius  rose  again,  and  notwithstanding  the  physical 
ravages  that  excess  was  making  within,  it  was  stiil 
with  the  air  of  calmness  and  discipline  that  became 
his  calling. 

"  As  our  upright  and  esteemed  friend  has  just 
related,"  he  said,  "  there  is  truly  a  point,  of  a  light 
but  unseemly  nature  to  exist  between  so  dear  neigh 
bors,  open  between  him  and  us  servants  of  God. 
The  Counts  of  Leiningen  have  long  considered  it  a 
pleasure  to  do  favor  to  the  Church,  and  in  this  just 
and  commendable  spirit,  it  is  now  some  fifty  years 
that,  at  the  termination  of  each  vintage,  without 
regard  to  seasons  or  harvest,  without  stooping  to 
change  their  habits  at  every  change  of  weather, 
they  have  paid  to  our  brotherhood " 

"  Presented,  priest !" 

"  Presented, — if  such  is  thy  will,  noble  Emich, — 
fifty  casks  of  this  gentle  liquor  that  now  warms  our 
hearts  towards  each  other,  with  brotherly  and 
praiseworthy  affection.  Now,  it  has  been  settled 
between  us,  to  avoid  all  future  motive  of  contro 
versy,  and  either  the  better  to  garnish  our  cellars, 
or  to  relieve  the  house  of  Hartenburg  altogether  of 
future  imposition,  that  it  shall  be  decided  this  night, 
whether  the  tribute  henceforth  shall  consist  of  one 
hundred  casks,  or  of  nothing." 

"  By're  Lady  !  A  most  important  issue,  and  one 
Kkely  to  impoverish  or  to  enrich  !"  exclaimed  the 
Knisht  of  Rhodes. 

K2 


114  THE  HEIDEIS'MAUER. 

"  As  such  we  deem  it,"  continued  the  monk,  "  ana 
in  that  view,  parchments  of  release,  with  all  due 
appliances  and  seals,  have  been  prepared  by  a 
clerkly  scholar  of  Heidelberg.  This  indenture,  duly 
executed,"  he  added,  drawing  from  his  bosom  the 
instruments  in  question,  '*  yieldeth  to  Emich  all  the 
Abbey's  rights  to  the  vines  in  dispute,  and  this 
wanteth  but  his  sign  of  arms  and  noble  name,  to 
double  their  present  duty." 

"  Hold !"  cried  the  Chevalier  of  the  Cross,  whose 
faculties  began  already  to  give  way,  though  it  was 
only  in  the  commencement  of  the  debauch :  "  Here 
is  matter  might  puzzle  the  Grand  Turk,  who  sits  in 
judgment  in  the  very  seat  of  Solomon  !  If  thou 
renderest  thy  claims,  and  my  cousin  Emich  yieldeth 
double  tribute-money,  both  parties  will  be  the  worse, 
and  neither  possessed  of  the  liquor  !" 

"  In  a  merry  mood,  it  hath  been  proposed  that 
there  shall  be  the  trial  of  love  and  not  of  battle,  be 
tween  us,  for  the  vines.  The  question  is  of  liquor, 
and  it  is  agreed, — St.  Benedict  befriend  me,  if  there 
be  sin  in  the  folly  !  to  try  on  whose  constitution  the 
disputed  liquor  is  the  most  apt  to  work  good  or  evil. 
Let  the  Count  of  Hartenburg  give  to  his  parchment 
the  virtue  that  hath  already  been  given  to  this 
of  ours,  and  we  shall  leave  both  in  some  place  of 
observation; — then,  when  he  alone  is  able  to  rise 
and  seize  on  both,  let  him  give  the  victor's  cry ;  but 
should  he  fail  of  that  power,  and  there  be  a  servant 
of  the  Church  ready,  and  able  to  grasp  the  instru 
ments,  why  let  him  go,  and  think  no  more  of  land 
that  he  hath  right  merrily  lost." 

"  By  St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  but  this  is  a  most  un 
equal  contest — three  monks  against  one  poor  baron, 
in  a  trial  of  heads !" 

"  Nay,  we  think  more  of  our  honor,  than  to  per 
mit  this  wrong.  The  Count  of  Hartenburg  hath  full 
right  to  call  in  equal  succor,  and  I  have  taken  thee, 


THE  HEIDEJNMAUER.  115 

gallant  cavalier  of  Rhodes,  and  this  learned  Abbe, 
to  be  his  chosen  backers  !" 

"  Let  it  be  so !"  cried  the  two  in  question, — "  We 
ask  no  better  service  than  to  drain  Count  Emich's 
cellars  to  his  honor  and  profit !" 

But  the  lord  of  the  hold  had  taken  the  matter,  as 
indeed  it  was  fully  understood  between  the  princi 
pals,  to  be  a  question  on  which  depended  a  serious 
amount  of  revenue,  for  all  futurity.  The  wager 
had  arisen,  in  one  of  those  wild  contests  for  physical 
and  gross  supremacy,  which  characterize  ages  and 
countries  of  imperfect  civilization ;  for  next  to  deeds 
in  arms  and  other  manful  exercises,  like  those  of  th<2 
chase  and  saddle,  it  was  deemed  honorable  to  be 
able  to  undergo  the  trials  of  the  festive  board  with 
impunity.  Nor  should  it  occasion  surprise  to  find 
churchmen  engaged  in  these  encounters ;  for,  inde 
pendently  of  our  writing  of  an  age  when  they  ap 
peared  in  the  field,  there  is  sufficient  evidence  that 
our  own  times  are  not  entirely  purified  from  so 
coarse  abuses  of  the  gown.  But  Bonifacius  of  Lim- 
burg,  though  a  man  of  extensive  learning  and 
strong  intellectual  qualities,  had  a  weakness  on  this 
particular  point,  for  which  we  may  be  driven  to 
seek  an  explanation  in  his  peculiar  animal  construc 
tion.  He  was  of  a  powerful  frame  and  sluggish 
temperament,  both  of  which  required  strong  excite 
ment  to  be  wrought  up  to  the  highest  point  of  phys 
ical  enjoyment;  and  neither  the  examples  around 
him,  nor  his  own  particular  opinions,  taught  him  to 
avoid  a  species  of  indulgence  that  he  found  so 
agreeable  to  his  constitution.  With  these  serious 
views  of  a  contest,  to  which  neither  party  would 
probably  have  consented,  had  not  each  great  con 
fidence  in  himself  as  a  well-tried  champion,  both 
Emich  and  the  Abbot  required  that  the  instruments 
should  be  openly  read.  The  discharge  of  this  duty 
was  assigned  to  Monsieur  Latouche,  who  forthwith 


116  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

proceeded  to  wade  through  a  torrent  of  unintelligi 
ble  terms,  that  were  generated  in  the  obscurity  of 
feudal  times  for  the  benefit  of  the  strong,  and  which 
are  continued  to  our  own  period  through  pride  of 
professional  knowledge,  a  little  quickened  by  a 
view  to  professional  gain.  On  the  subject  of  the 
true  consideration  of  the  respective  releases*  the 
instruments  themselves  were  silent,  though  nothing 
material  was  wanting  to  give  them  validity,  espe 
cially  when  supported  by  a  good  sword ;  or  the 
power  of  the  Church,  to  which  the  parties  looked 
respectively  in  the  event  of  flaws. 

Count  Emich  listened  warily  as  his  guest  the 
Abbe  read  clause  after  clause  of  the  deed.  Occa 
sionally  his  eye  wandered  to  the  firm  countenance 
of  the  Abbot,  betraying  habitual  distrust  of  his 
hereditary  and  powerful  enemy,  but  it  wras  quickly 
riveted  again  on  the  heated  features  of  the  reader. 

"This  is  well,"  he  said,  when  both  papers  had 
been  examined :  "  These  vines  are  to  remain  for 
ever  with  me  and  mine,  without  claim  from  any 
grasping  churchman,  so  long  as  grass  shall  grow 
or  water  run,  or  henceforth  they  pay  double  tribute, 
a  tax  that  will  leave  little  for  the  cellar  of  their 
rightful  lord." 

"  Such  are  our  terms,  noble  Emich.  But  to  con 
firm  the  latter  condition,  thy  seal  and  name  are 
wanting  to  the  instrument." 

"  Were  the  latter  to  be  written  by  a  good  sword, 
none  could  do  the  office  better  than  this  poor  arm, 
reverend  Abbot ;  but  thou  knowest  well,  that  my 
youth  was  too  much  given  to  warlike  and  other 
manly  exercises  befitting  my  rank,  to  allow  much 
time  for  acquiring  clerkly  skill.  By  the  holy  Virgins 
of  Koeln  !  It  were,  in  sooth,  a  shame  to  confess,  that 
one  of  my  class  in  these  stirring  times  had  leisure 
for  such  lady  games !  Bring  hither  an  eagle's 
feather^— hand  of  mine  never  yet  touched  aught 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  117 

from  meaner  wing — that  I  may  do  justice  to  the 
monks." 

The  necessary  implements  being  produced,  the 
Count  of  Hartenburg  proceeded  to  execute  the  in 
strument  on  his  part.  The  wax  was  speedily 
attached  and  duly  impressed  with  the  bearings  of 
Leiningen,  for  the  noble  wore  a  signet-ring  of  mas 
sive  size,  ready  at  all  times  to  give  this  token  of  his 
will.  But  when  it  became  necessary  to  subscribe 
the  name,  a  signal  was  made  to  a  domestic,  who 
disappeared  in  quest  of  the  Count's  man  of  charge. 
This  individual  manifested  some  reluctance  to  per 
form  the  customary  office,  but,  as  there  was  just 
then  a  clamorous  dialogue  among  the  party  at 
table,  he  seized  the  moment  to  examine  into  the 
nature  of  the  document,  and  the  consideration  that 
was  to  decide  the  ownership  of  the  vineyard.  Grin 
ning  in  satisfaction,  at  a  species  of  payment  in 
which  he  held  it  to  be  impossible  Lord  Emich  could 
fail  to  acquit  himself  honorably,  the  dependant  took 
the  hand  of  his  master,  and,  accustomed  to  the 
duty,  he  so  guided  it  as  to  leave  a  very  legible  and 
creditable  signature.  When  this  had  been  done, 
and  the  papers  were  properly  witnessed,  the  Count 
of  Hartenburg  glanced  suspiciously  from  the  deed 
in  his  hand  to  the  indomitable  face  of  the  Abbot,  as 
if  he  still  half  repented  of  the  act.  "  Look  you, 
Bonifacius,"  he  said,  shaking  a  finger, — "  Should 
there  be  flaw,  or  doubt  of  any  intention  in  this  our 
covenant,  sword  of  mine  shall  cut  it !" 

"  First  earn  the  right,  Count  of  Leiningen.  The 
deeds  are  of  equal  virtue,  and  he  who  would  lay 
claim  to  their  benefits  must  win  the  wager.  We 
arfe  but  poor  brothers  of  St.  Benedict,  and  little 
worthy  to  be  named  with  warlike  barons  and  de 
voted  followers  of  St.  John,  but  we  have  an  humble 
trust  in  our  patron." 

"  By  St.  Benedict,  it  shall  pass  for  a  miracle,  if 


118  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

thou  prevailest !"  shouted  Emich,  yielding  the  deed 
in  a  burst  of  delight.  "  Away  with  these  cups  of 
agate  and  horn,  and  bring  forth  vessels  of  glass, 
that  all  may  see  we  deal  fairly  by  each  other,  in 
this  right  manly  encounter.  Look  to  your  wits, 
monks. — By  the  word  of  a  cavalier,  your  Latin  will 
do  little  service  in  this  dispute." 

"  Our  trust  is  in  our  patron,"  answered  Father 
Siegfried,  who  had  already  done  so  much  honor  to 
the  banquet,  as  to  give  reason  to  believe,  that,  in 
his  case,  the  fraternity  leaned  upon  a  fragile  staff. 
"He  never  yet  deserted  his  children,  when  fairly  en 
listed  in  a  good  cause." 

"  You  are  cunning  in  reasons,  fathers,"  put  in  the 
knight — "  and  I  doubt  not  that  sufficient  excuses 
would  be  forthcoming,  were  you  pushed  to  justify 
service  to  the  devil." 

"  We  suffer  for  the  church,"  was  the  Abbot's  an 
swer,  after  taking  a  bumper  in  obedience  to  a  signal 
from  his  host.  "  We  hold  it  to  be  commendable  to 
struggle  with  the  flesh,  that  our  altars  may  flourish/' 

As  soon  as  executed,  the  two  deeds  had  been 
placed  on  a  high  and  curiously  wrought  vessel  of 
silver,  that  contained  cordials,  and  which  occupied 
the  centre  of  the  board,  and  more  fitting  cups  hav 
ing  been  brought,  the  combatants  were  compelled  to 
swallow  draught  after  draught,  at  signals  from 
Emich,  who,  like  a  true  knight,  saw  that  each  man 
showed  loyalty.  But,  as  the  conflict  was  between 
men  of  great  experience  in  this  species  of  conten 
tion,  and  as  it  endured  hours,  we  deem  it  unworthy 
of  the  theme  to  limit  its  description  to  a  single  char> 
ter.  Before  closing  the  page,  however,  we  shall  di 
gress  for  a  moment,  in  order  to  express  our  opinions 
concerning  the  great  human  properties  involved  in 
this  sublime  strife. 

It  has  been  the  singular  fortune  of  America  to  be 
the  source  of  numberless  ingenious  theories,  that 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  119 

taking  their  rise  in  the  other  hemisphere,  have  been 
let  loose  upon  the  world  to  answer  ends  that  we 
shall  not  stop  to  investigate.  The  dignified  and 
beneficed  prelate  maintains  there  is  no  worship  of 
God  within  our  land,  probably  because  there  are  no 
dignified  and  beneficed  prelates;  a  sufficiently  logical 
conclusion  for  all  who  believe  in  the  efficacy  of  that 
self-denying  class  of  Christians ;  while  the  neophyte, 
in  some"  lately  invented  religion,  denounces  us  all  in 
a  body,  as  so  many  miserable  bigots,  devoted  to 
Christ !  In  this  manner  is  a  pains-taking  and  plain- 
dealing  nation  of  near  fourteen  millions  of  souls  kept, 
as  it  were,  in  abeyance  in  the  opinions  of  the  rest 
of  mankind,  one  deeming  them  as  much  beyond,  as 
another  fancies  them  to  be  short  of,  truth.  In  the 
fearful  catalogue  of  our  deadly  sins,  is  included  a 
propensity  to  indulge  in  excesses  similar  to  that  it  is 
now  our  office  to  record.  As  we  are  confessedly 
democrats,  dram-drinking  in  particular  has  been  pro 
nounced  to  be  a  "  democratic  vice." 

It  has  been  our  fortune  to  have  lived  in  familiarity 
with  a  greater  variety  of  men,  either  considered  in 
reference  to  their  characters  or  their  conditions,  than 
ordinarily  falls  to  the  lot  of  any  one  person.  We  have 
visited  many  lands,  not  in  the  capacity  of  a  courier, 
but  staidly  and  soberly,  as  becomes  a  grave  occu 
pation,  setting  up  our  household  gods,  and  abiding 
long  enough  to  see  with  our  eyes  and  to  hear  with 
our  ears ;  and  we  feel  emboldened  to  presume  on 
these  facts,  in  order  to  express  a  different  opinion, 
amid  the  flood  of  assertions  that  has  been  made  by 
those  who  certainly  have  no  better  claim  to  be  heard. 
A.nd,  firstly,  we  shall  here  say  that,  as  in  the  course 
of  justice,  an  intelligent,  upright,  single-minded,  and 
discriminating  witness  is,  perhaps,  the  rarest  of  all 
desirable  instruments  in  effecting  its  sacred  ends,  so 
do  we  acknowledge  a  traveller,  entitled  to  full  credit, 


120  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

to  be  the  mortal  of  all  others  the  least  likely  to  be 
found. 

The  art  of  travelling,  we  apprehend,  is  far  more 
practised  than  understood.  To  us  it  has  proved 
a  laborious,  harassing,  puzzling,  and  oftentimes  a 
painful  pursuit.  To  divest  oneself  of  impressions 
made  in  youth ;  to  investigate  facts  without  refer 
ring  their  merits  to  a  standard  bottomed  on  a  found 
ation  no  better  than  habit;  to  analyze,  and  justly  to 
compare  the  influence  of  institutions,  climate,  natural 
causes,  and  practice;  to  separate  what  is  merely 
exception  from  that  which  forms  the  rule ;  or  even 
to  obtain  and  carry  away  accurate  notions  of  phys 
ical  things,  and,  most  of  all,  to  possess  the  gift  of  im 
parting  these  results  comprehensively  and  with 
graphical  truth,  requires  a  combination  of  time,  oc 
casion,  previous  knowledge,  and  natural  ability,  that 
rarely  falls  to  the  lot  of  a  single  individual.  One  as 
sumes  the  task  prepared  by  acquaintance  with  estab 
lished  opinions,  which  are  commonly  no  more  than 
prejudices,  the  result  of  either  policy,  or  of  the  very 
difficulties  just  enumerated ;  and  he  goes  on  his  way, 
not  only  ready  but  anxious  to  receive  the  proofs  of 
what  he  expects,  limiting  his  pleasure  to  the  sort  of 
delight,  that  dependent  minds  feel  in  following  the 
course  pointed  out  by  those  that  are  superior.  As 
the  admitted  peculiarities  of  every  people  are  suffi 
ciently  apparent,  he  converts  self-evident  facts  into 
collateral  testimony,  and  faithfully  believes  and  im 
agines  all  that  is  concealed  on  the  strength  of  that 
which  is  obvious.  For  such  a  traveller  time  wears 
away  men  and  things  in  vain ;  he  accords  his  be 
lief  to  the  last  standard  opinion  of  his  sect,  with  a 
devotion  to  convention  that  might  purchase  salva 
tion  in  a  better  cause.  To  him  Vesuvius  is  just  as 
high,  produces  the  same  effect  in  the  view,  and  has 
exactly  the  same  outline  as  before  the  crater  fell ; 
and  he  watches  the  workmen  disinterring  a  house 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  121 

at  its  base,  and  goes  away  rejoicing  at  having  wit 
nessed  the  resurrection  of  a  Roman  dwelling  after 
eighteen  hundred  years  of  interment,  simply  because 
it  is  the  vulgar  account  that  Pompeii  was  lost  for 
that  period.  If  he  should  happen  to  be  a  scholar, 
what  is  his  delight  in  following  a  cicerone  (a  title 
assumed  by  some  wily  servitore  di  Piazza)  to  the 
little  garden  that  overlooks  the  Roman  Forum,  arid 
in  fancying  that  he  stands  upon  the  Tarpeian  Rock ! 
His  faith  in  moral  qualities,  his  graduation  of  national 
virtue,  and  his  views  of  manners,  are  equally  the 
captives  of  the  last  popular  rumor.  A  Frenchman 
may  roll  incontinently  in  the  gras  de  Paris,  filled 
with  an  alcohol  inflammable  as  gunpowder,  and  in 
his  eyes  it  shall  pass  for  pure  animal  light-hearted- 
ness,  since  it  is  out  of  all  rule  for  a  Frenchman  to 
be  intoxicated,  while  the  veriest  tyro  knows  that  the 
nation  dances  to  a  man !  The  gallant  general,  the 
worshipful  alderman,  the  right  honorable  adviser  of 
the  king,  may  stammer  around  a  subject  for  half  an 
hour,  in  St.  Stephen's,  in  a  manner  to  confound  all 
conclusion,  and  generalize  so  completely  as  to  baffle 
particularity,  and  your  hearer  shall  go  away  con 
vinced  of  the  excellence  of  the  great  school  of 
modern  eloquence,  because  the  orator  has  been 
brought  up  at  the  "  feet  of  Gamaliel."  When  one 
thoroughly  imbued  with  this  pliant  faculty,  gets  into 
a  foreign  land,  with  what  a  diminished  reverence 
for  his  own  does  he  journey !  As  few  men  are  en 
dowed  with  sufficient  penetration  to  pierce  the  mists 
of  received  opinion,  fewer  still  are  they  that  are  so 
strong  in  right  as  to  be  able  to  stem  its  tide.  He  who 
precedes  his  age  is  much  less  likely  to  be  heard, 
than  he  who  lingers  in  its  rear ;  and  when  the  un 
wieldy  body  of  the  mass  reaches  the  eminence  on 
which  he  has  long  stood  the  object  of  free  comment, 
it  may  be  assumed  as  certain,  that  they  who  were 
his  bitterest  deriders  when  his  doctrine  was  new, 
L 


122  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

will  be  foremost  in  claiming  the  honors  of  the  ad 
vance.  In  short,  to  instruct  the  world,  it  is  neces 
sary  to  watch  the  cm  rent,  and  to  act  on  the  public 
mind  like  the  unseen  rudder,  by  slight  and  imper 
ceptible  variations,  avoiding,  as  a  seaman  would  ex 
press  it,  any  very  rank  sheer,  lest  the  vessel  should 
refuse  to  mind  her  helm  and  go  down  with  the 
stream. 

We  have  been  led  into  these  reflections,  by  fre 
quent  opportunities  of  witnessing  the  facility  with 
which  opinions  are  adopted  concerning  ourselves, 
because  they  have  come  from  the  pens  of  those  who 
have  long  contributed  to  amuse  and  instruct  us,  but 
which  are  perfectly  valueless,  both  from  the  una 
voidable  ignorance  of  those  who  utter  them,  and 
from  the  hostile  motives  that  gave  them  birth.  To 
that  class  which  would  wish  to  put  in  a  claim  to  bon 
ton,  by  undervaluing  their  countrymen,  we  have  no 
thing  to  say,  since  they  are  much  beyond  improve 
ment,  and  are  quite  unable  to  understand  all  the  high 
and  glorious  consequences  dependent  on  the  great 
principles  of  which  this  republic  is  the  guardian. 
Their  fate  was  long  since  settled  by  a  permanent 
and  wise  provision  of  human  feeling ;  but,  presum 
ing  on  the  opportunities  mentioned,  and  long  habits 
of  earnest  observation  in  the  two  hemispheres,  we 
shall  conclude  this  digression  by  merely  adding,  that 
it  is  the  misfortune  of  man  to  abuse  the  gifts  of  God, 
:,ot  him  live  in  what  country  or  under  what  institu 
tions  he  may.  Excess  of  the  description  in  question 
is  the  failing  of  every  people,  nearly  in  proportion 
to  their  means ;  nor  are  there  any  certain  preven 
tives  against  a  vice  so  destructive,  but  absolute 
want,  or  a  high  cultivation  of  the  reasoning  facul 
ties. 

He  who  has  accurately  ascertained  how  far  the 
people  of  this  republic  are  behind  or  before  the  in 
habitants  of  other  lands,  in  mental  improvement  and 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  123 

moral  qualities,  will  not  be  far  from  the  truth  in  as 
signing  to  them  a  correspondent  place  in  the  scale 
of  sobriety.  It  is  true  that  many  foreigners  will  be 
ready  enough  to  deny  this  position,  but  we  have  had 
abundant  opportunities  of  observing,  that  all  those 
who  visit  our  shores  do  not  come  sufficiently  pre 
pared,  by  observation  at  home,  to  make  just  com 
parisons,  and  what  we  have  here  said  has  not  been 
ventured  without  years  of  close  and  honest  investi 
gation.  We  shall  gladly  hail  the  day  when  it  can 
be  said,  that  not  an  American  exists,  so  lost  to  him 
self  as  to  trifle  with  the  noblest  gift  of  the  Creator  ; 
but  we  cannot  see  the  expediency  of  attaining  an 
end,  desirable  even  as  this,  by  the  concession  of 
premises  that  are  false. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

«  What  a  thrice-double  ass 
Was  I,  to  take  this  drunkard  for  a  god ! 

Caliban. 

PHYSICAL  qualities  are  always  prized  in  proportion 
to  the  value  that  is  attached  to  those  that  are  purely 
intellectual.  So  long  as  power  and  honor  depend 
on  the  possession  of  brute  force,  strength  and  agility 
are  endowments  of  the  last  importance,  on  the  same 
principle  that  they  render  the  tumbler  of  more  ac 
count  in  his  troop ;  and  he  who  has  ever  had  occa 
sion  to  mingle  much  with  the  brave,  and  subject  to 
a  qualification  that  will  readily  be  understood,  we 
might  add,  the  noble  savages  of  this  continent,  will 
have  remarked,  that,  while  the  orators  are  in  gene 
ral  a  class  who  have  cultivated  their  art  for  want 
of  qualifications  to  excel  in  that  which  is  deemed 
still  more  honorable,  the  first  requisite  in  the  war- 


124  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

rior  is  stature  and  muscle.  There  exists  a  curious 
document  to  prove  how  much  even  their  successors, 
a  people  in  no  degree  deficient  in  acuteness,  have 
been  subject  to  a  similar  influence.  We  allude  to  a 
register  that  was  made  of  the  thews  and  sinews 
among  the  chiefs  of  the  army  of  Washington,  during 
.he  moment  of  inaction  that  preceded  the  recog 
nition  of  Independence.  By  this  report  it  would 
seem,  that  the  animal  entered  somewhat  into  the 
ideas  of  our  fathers,  when  they  made  their  original 
selection  of  leaders,  a  circumstance  that  we  attrib 
ute  to  the  veneration  that  man  is  secretly  disposed 
to  show  to  physical  perfection,  until  a  better  train 
ing  and  experience  have  taught  him  there  is  still  a 
superior  power.  Our  first  impressions  are  almost 
always  received  through  the  senses,  and  the  connex 
ion  between  martial  prowess  and  animal  force  seems 
so  natural,  that  we  ought  not  to  be  surprised  that  a 
people  so  peaceful  arid  unpractised,  in  their  sim 
plicity,  betrayed  a  little  of  this  deference  to  appear 
ances.  Happily,  if  they  sometimes  put  matter  into 
stations  which  would  have  been  better  filled  by 
mind,  the  honesty  and  zeal  that  were  so  general  in 
the  patriotic  ranks  carried  the  country  through  in 
triumph. 

It  was  a  consequence  of  the  high  favor  enjoyed 
by  all  manly  or  physical  qualities  in  the  sixteenth  cen 
tury,  that  men  were  even  prized  for  their  excesses. 
Thus  he  who  could  longest  resist  the  influence  of 
liquor  was  deemed,  in  a  more  limited  sense,  as 
much  a  hero  as  he  who  swung  the  heaviest  mace, 
or  pointed  the  surest  cannon  in  battle.  The  de 
bauch  in  which  the  Abbot  of  Limburg  and  his 
neighbor  Emich  of  Leiningen,  were  now  engaged, 
was  one  of  no  unusual  nature ;  for,  in  a  country  in 
which  prelates  appeared  in  so  many  other  doubtful 
characters,  it  should  not  excite  surprise  that  some 
of  the  class  were  willing  to  engage  in  a  strife  that 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  125 

ru*d  little  danger,  while  it  was  so  highly  in  favor 
with  the  noble  and  the  great. 

The  reader  will  have  seen  that  great  progress 
had  been  made  towards  the  issue  of  the  celebrated 
encounter  it  is  our  duty  to  relate,  even  before  its 
precise  object  had  been  formally  introduced  among 
the  contending  parties.  But  while  the  monks  came 
to  the  struggle  apprized  of  its  motive,  and  prepared 
at  all  points  to  maintain  the  reputation  of  their 
ancient  and  hospitable  brotherhood,  the  Count  of 
Leiningen,  with  a  sullen  reliance  on  his  own  powers, 
that  was  somewhat  increased  by  his  contempt  for 
priestcraft,  had  neglected  to  bestow  the  same  care 
on  his  auxiliaries.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add 
that  both  the  Abbe  and  the  knight  of  Rhodes  had 
become  heated  to  garrulousness,  before  they  per 
fectly  understood  the  nature  of  the  service  that  was 
expected  at  their  hands,  or,  we  ought  rather  to  say, 
of  their  heads.  With  this  explanation  we  shall 
resume  the  narrative,  taking  up  its  thread  some  two 
hours  later  than  the  moment  when  it  was  last 
dropped. 

At  this  particular  juncture  of  the  strife,  Fathers 
Siegfried  and  Cuno  had  become  thoroughly  warmed 
with  their  endeavors,  and  habitual  and  profound 
respect  for  the  Abbot  was  gradually  giving  way 
before  the  quickening  currents  of  their  blood.  The 
eyes  of  the  former  glistened  with  a  species  of  foren 
sic  ferocity,  for  he  was  ardently  engaged  on  a  con 
troversial  point  with  Albrecht  of  Viederbach,  all  of 
whose  faculties  appeared  to  be  rapidly  exhaling 
with^his  potations.  The  other  Benedictine  and  the 
Abhe  from  time  to  time  mingled  in  the  dispute,  in 
the  character  of  seconds,  while  the  two  most  inter 
ested  in  the  issue  sat,  warily  collecting  their  powers, 
and  sternly  regarding  each  other,  like  men  who 
knew  they  were  not  engaged  in  idle  sport. 

"  This  is  well,  with  thy  tales  of  L'Isle  Adam,  and 
L2 


126  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  Ottoman  power,"  continued  Father  Siegfried 
pursuing  the  discourse  from  a  point,  beyond  which 
we  consider  it  unnecessary  to  record  all  that  passed 
— "  This  will  do  to  repeat  to  the  dames  of  our  Ger 
man  courts,  for  the  journey  between  these  Rhenish 
plains  and  yonder  island  of  Rhodes  is  far,  and  few 
are  inclined  to  make  it,  in  order  to  convict  thy 
chiefs  of  neglect,  or  their  sworn  followers  of  forget- 
fulness  of  their  vows." 

"  By  the  quality  of  my  order  !  reverend  Benedic 
tine,  thou  pushest  words  to  unseemliness  !  Is  it  not 
enough,  that  the  chosen  and  the  gentlest  of  Europe 
should  devote  soul  and  body  to  services  that  would 
better  become  thy  lazy  order — that  all  that  is  noble 
and  brave  should  abandon  the  green  fields  and 
pleasant  rivers  of  their  native  lands,  to  endure  hot 
suns  and  sultry  winds  from  Africa,  in  order  to  keep 
the  unbeliever  in  his  limits,  but  they  must  be  taunted 
with  gibes  like  these?  Go,  count  the  graves  and 
number  the  living,  if  thou  wouldst  learn  the  manner 
in  which  our  illustrious  master  held  out  against  Sol- 
yman,  or  wouldst  know  the  services  of  his  knights !" 

"  It  would  sound  ill  in  thy  ears,  were  I  to  bid  thee 
enter  purgatory,  to  inquire  into  the  fruits  of  our 
masses  and  prayers,  and  yet  one  and  the  other  are 
equally  easy  to  perform.  Thou  knowest  well,  that 
Rhodes  is  no  longer  a  Christian  island,  and  that 
none  bearing  the  cross  dare  be  seen  on  its  shores. 
Go  to,  Count  Albrecht,  thy  order  is  fallen  into  dis 
use,  and  it  is  better  where  it  is,  hid  beneath  the 
snowy  mountains  of  the  country  of  Nice,  than  it 
might  be  in  the  front  ranks  of  Christendom.  There 
is  not  a  crone  in  Germany  that  does  not  bewail  the ' 
backsliding  of  an  order  so  esteemed  of  old,  or  a 
maiden  that  does  not  speak  lightly  of  its  deeds  !M 

"  Heavenly  patience  !  hearest  thou  this,  Monsieur^ 
Latouche  ?  and  from  the  mouth  of  a  chanting  Bene-  \ 
dictine,  who  passeth  his  days  between  safe  walls  of  ' 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  127 

stone,  here  in  the  heart  of  the  Palatinate,  and  his 
nights  on  a  warm  pallet,  beyond  sound  even  of  the 
rushing  winds,  unless,  in  sooth,  he  be  not  bent  on 
offices  of  midnight  charity  among  the  believing 
wives  of  the  faithful !" 

"  Boy !  dost  presume  to  scandalize  the  Church, 
and  dare  its  anger?"  demanded  Bonifacius,  in  a 
voice  of  thunder. 

"  Reverend  Abbot,"  answered  Albrecht,  crossing 
himself,  for  habit  and  policy  equally  held  him  sub 
ject  to  the  predominant  authority  of  the  age,  "  the 
little  I  say  is  more  directed  to  the  man  than  to  his 
cloth." 

"  Let  him  give  utterance  to  all  he  fancies,"  inter 
rupted  the  wily  Siegfried.  "Is  not  a  knight  of 
Rhodes  immaculate,  and  shall  we  refuse  him  right 
of  speech  ?' 

"  It  is  held  at  the  court  of  the  chivalrous  Valois," 
observed  the  Abbe,  who  perceived  it  was  necessary 
to  interfere,  in  order  to  preserve  the  peace,  "  that 
the  defence  of  Rhodes  was  of  exceeding  valor,  and 
few  survived  it,  who  did  not  meet  with  high  honors 
from  Christian  hands.  We  have  seen  numberless 
of  the  brave  knights  among  us,  in  the  most  esteemed 
houses  of  Paris,  and  at  the  merry  castle  of  Fontaine- 
bleau,  and  believe  me,  none  were  more  sought,  or 
better  honored.  The  scars  of  even  Marignano 
and  of  Pavia  are  less  prized  than  those  given  by  the 
hands  of  the  infidel." 

"  Thou  dost  well,  my  learned  and  self-denying 
brother,"  answered  Siegfried,  with  a  sneer,  "  to  re 
mind  us  of  the  fight  of  Pavia,  and  of  thy  great  mas 
ter's  present  abode  !  Are  these  tidings  of  late  from 
the  Castiles,  or  is  it  not  permitted  to  thy  prince  to 
dispatch  couriers  to  his  own  capital  ?" 

"  Nay,  reverend  monk,  thou  pressest  with  unkind 
allusions,  and  forgettest  that,  like  thee,  we  are  both 
servitors  of  the  Church." 


128  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"We  count  thee  not — one  nor  the  other.  Mar. 
tyred  St.  Peter !  what  would  become  of  thy  keys, 
were  they  intrusted  to  the  keeping  of  such  hands ! — 
Go,  doff  thy  vanities — lay  aside  that  attire  of  velvet, 
if  thou  wouldst  be  known  as  of  the  flock." 

"  Master  Latouche,"  exclaimed  Emich,  who  was 
boiling  with  indignation,  but  who  preserved  his  self- 
command  in  order  to  circulate  the  cups,  and  to  see 
that  each  man  did  true  service  in  the  prescribed 
contest,  "  tell  him  of  his  brother  of  Wittenberg,  and 
of  these  late  doings  in  the  hive.  Stick  that  thorn 
into  his  side,  and  thou  shalt  see  him  shrink  like  a 
jaded  and  galled  steed,  under  a  pointed  spur  !  Who 
art  thou,  and  why  dost  thou  disturb  my  pleasures  ?" 

This  sudden  interruption  of  himself  was  addressed 
by  the  baron  to  a  youth,  in  neat  but  modest  attire, 
who  had  just  entered  the  banqueting-room,  and  who, 
passing  by  the  menial  that  filled  the  glasses  at  the 
beck  of  his  master's  hand,  now  stood,  with  a  firm 
but  respectful  mien,  at  the  elbow  of  the  speaker. 

"  Tis  Berchthold,  my  lord's  forester.  They  bid 
me  come  to  do  your  pleasure,  noble  Count" 

"  Thou  art  seasonably  arrived  to  keep  the  peace 
between  a  sworn  knight  of  Rhodes  and  a  garrulous 
monk  of  Limburg.  This  reverend  Abbot  would  do 
thee  favor,  boy." 

Berchthold  bowed  respectfully,  and  turned  to 
wards  the  prelate. 

"  Thou  art  the  orphan  of  our  ancient  liegeman,  he 
who  bore  thy  name,  and  was  well  esteemed  among 
the  townsmen  of  Deurckheim  ?" 

"  I  am  the  son  of  him  your  reverence  means,  but 
that  he  was  liegeman  of  any  of  Limburg,  I  deny." 

"  Bravely  answered,  boy !"  shouted  Emich,  strik 
ing  his  fist  on  the  table  so  hard  as  to  threaten  de 
struction  to  all  it  held:  "Ay,  and  as  becomes  thy 
master's  follower !  Hast  enough,  Father  Bonifacius, 
or  wilt  dip  deeper  into  the  youth's  catechism  ?" 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  129 

"  The  young  man  has  been  tutored  to  respect  his 
present  ease,"  returned  the  Abbot,  affecting  indiffer 
ence  equally  to  the  exultation  of  the  Count  and  to  the 
disrespect  of  his  forester.  "  When  he  next  comes 
to  our  confessionals,  there  will  be  occasion  to  give 
him  other  schooling." 

"  God's  truth  !  that  hour  may  never  happen.  We 
are  half  disposed  to  live  on  in  our  sins,  and  to  take 
soldier's  fortune,  in  these  stirring  times ;  which  is 
ever  the  chance  of  sudden  death,  without  the 
church's  passport.  We  are  fast  getting  of  this 
mind — are  we  not,  brave  Berchthold  t" 

The  youth  bowed  respectfully,  but  without  an 
swering,  for  he  saw  by  the  inflamed  countenances 
and  swimming  eyes  of  all  at  table,  that  the  moment 
was  one  in  which  explanations  would  be  useless. 
Had  it  been  possible  to  doubt  the  cause  of  the  scene 
he  witnessed,  the  manner  in  which  glass  after  glass 
was  swallowed,  at  the  will  of  the  cup-bearer,  would 
have  explained  its  nature.  But,  far  advanced  as 
Father  Bonifacius  had  now  become  in  inebriety,  in 
common  with  the  other  guests,  he  retained  enough 
of  his  faculties,  to  see  that  the  words  of  Emich  con 
tained  an  allusion  of  a  dangerously  heretical  char 
acter. 

"  Thou  art  resolved  to  despise  our  counsel  and 
our  warnings  !"  he  exclaimed,  glancing  fiercely  at 
one  and  the  other.  'Twere  better  to  say  at  once, 
that  thy  wish  is  to  see  the  walls  of  Limburg  Abbey 
lying  on  the  side  of  Limburg  hill." 

"  Nay,  reverend  and  honored  priest,  thou  pushest 
a  few  hasty  words  beyond  their  meaning.  What 
is  it  to  a  Count  of  the  noble  house  of  Le'mingen,  that 
a  few  monks  find  shelter  for  their  heads,  and  ease 
for  their  souls,  beneath  a  consecrated  roof  within 
cannon-shot  of  his  own  towers.  If  thy  walls  do 
not  tumble  until  hand  of  mine  helps  to  unsettle  them, 
they  may  stand  till  the  fallen  Angel  that  set  them 


130  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

up,  shall  aid  in  their  overthrow.  Truly,  Father 
Bonifacius,  for  a  godly  community,  this  tale  of  thy 
sanctuary's  origin  makes  it  of  none  of  the  best  pa 
rentage  !" 

"  Hear  ye  that !"  sputtered  Albrecht  of  Vieder- 
bach,  who,  though  his  tongue  had  continued  to  sound 
a  sort  of  irregular  accompaniment  to  his  cousin's 
speeches,  was  no  longer  able  to  articulate  clearly — 
"  Here  ye  that !  imp  of  St.  Benedict !  The  devil  set 
ye  up,  and  the  devil  will  be  your  downfall.  L'Isle 
Adam  is  a  saint  to  thy  holiest;  and  his — good — 
sword " 

At  this  word,  the  knight  of  Rhodes  succumbed, 
losing  his  balance  in  an  animated  effort  to  gesticu 
late,  and  fairly  falling  under  the  table.  A  sarcastic 
smile  crossed  the  Abbot's  face,  at  this  overthrow 
of  one  of  his  adversaries,  while  Emich  scowled  in 
disdain  at  the  ignoble  exhibition  made  by  his  kins 
man;  who,  finding  it  impossible  to  rise,  resigned 
himself  to  sleep  on  the  spot  where  he  had  fallen. 

"  Swallow  thy  Rhenish,  monk,  and  count  not  on 
the  slight  advantage  thou  hast  got  in  the  overthrow 
of  that  prating  fool,"  said  the  host,  whose  tones 
grew  less  and  less  amicable,  as  the  plot  thickened — 
"  But  to  a  more  fitting  subject ;  Berchthold  is  worthy 
of  his  lord,  and  is  a  youth  that  thinks  of  things 
as  things  appear.  We  may  quit  thy  confessionals 
for  divers  reasons,  as  thou  knowest.  Here  is  the 
Monk  of  Erfurth  !  Ha !  what  think  you  of  his  new 
teaching,  and  of  the  manner  in  which  he  advises  the 
faithful  to  come  to  the  altar?  You  have  had  him  at 
Rome,  and  at  Worms,  and  among  ye  in  many  coun 
cils,  and  yet  the  honest  man  stands  fast  in  all  rea 
sonable  opinions.  Thou  hast  heard  of  Luther,  is  it 
not  so,  young  Berchthold  ?" 

"  'Tis  certain,  my  Lord  Count,  that  few  in  the 
Jaergerthal  escape  the  tidings  of  his  name." 

"  Then  are  they  in  danger  of  a  most  damnable 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  131 

neresy!"  interrupted  Bonifacius,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder.  "  Why  tell  me  of  this  driveller  of  Erfurth, 
Lord  Emich,  if  thou  art  not  in  secret  praying  that 
his  rebellious  wishes  may  prosper  at  the  Church's 
cost !  But  we  mark  thee,  irreverent  Count,  and  hard 
and  griping  penance  may  yet  purge  thee  of  these 
prurient  fancies—"  Here  the  Abbot,  inflamed  as  he 
was  with  wine  and  resentment,  paused ;  for  the  silent 
monk,  Father  Cuno,  fell  from  his  seat  like  a  soldier 
shot  in  battle ;  the  simple  inferior  having  entered 
into  the  trial  of  heads,  more  with  a  relish  for  the 
liquor  than  with  any  thought  of  victory,  and  having, 
in  consequence,  done  so  much  honor  to  the  pota 
tions,  as  to  become  an  easy  sacrifice  to  the  common 
enemy.  The  Abbot  looked  at  his  prostrate  follower 
with  grim  indifference,  showing  by  his  hard,  scowl 
ing,  and  angry  eye,  that  he  deemed  the  loss  of  little 
moment  to  the  main  result.  "What  matters  the 
impotency  of  a  fool !"  he  muttered,  turning  away 
to  his  principal  and  only  dangerous  opponent,  with 
a  full  return  of  all  his  angry  feelings : — "  That  the 
devils  are  suffered  to  gain  a  momentary  and  spe 
cious  triumph,  we  are  well  aware,  Baron  of  Harten- 
burg " 

"  By  my  father's  bones,  proud  priest,  but  thou 
strangely  forgettest  thyself!  Am  I  not  a  prince  of 
Leiningen,  that  one  of  the  cowl  should  please  to  call 
me  less?" 

"  I  should  have  said  the  Summer  Landgrave !" 
answered  Bonifacius  sneeringly,  for  long-smothered 
hatred  was  beginning  to  break  through  the  feeble 
barriers  that  their  reeling  faculties  still  preserved. 
"I  crave  pardon  of  your  highness;  but  a  short 
reign  leaves  brief  recollections.  Even  thy  subjects, 
illustrious  Emich,  may  be  forgiven,  that  they  know 
not  their  sovereign's  title.  The  coronet  that  is  worn 
from  June  to  September  scarce  gets  the  fit  of  the 
" 


132  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  It  was  worn  longer,  Abbot,  than  ever  head  of 
thine  will  wear  a  saintly  crown.  But  I  forget  mv 
ancient  house,  and  the  forbearance  due  to  a  guest,  ir. 
honest  anger  at  an  artful  and  malignant  monk  !'* 

Bonifacius  bowed  with  seeming  composure,  and 
while  each  appeared  to  recover  his  moderation,  in  a 
misty  recollection  of  the  true  affair  in  Land,  the 
dialogue  between  the  Abbe*  and  Father  Siegfried, 
which  had  been  drowned  by  the  stentorian  lungs  of 
the  principal  disputants,  broke  out  in  the  momentary 
pause. 

"  Thou  sayest  true,  reverend  father,"  said  the  for 
mer,  "but  were  our  fair  and  sprightly  dames  of 
France  to  perform  these  pilgrimages  to  distant 
shrines,  of  which  thou  speakest,  rude  treatment  in 
the  wayfaring,  evil  company,  and,  haply,  designing 
confessors,  might  tarnish  the  present  lustre  of  their 
graces,  and  leave  them  less  ornaments  to  our  brilliant 
and  gallant  court,  than  they  at  present  prove.  No, 
I  espouse  no  such  dangerous  opinions,  but  endeavor, 
by  gentle  persuasion  and  courtly  arguments,  to  lead 
their  precious  souls  nearer  to  the  heaven  they  so 
well  merit,  and  which  it  were  scarce  impious  to  say, 
they  will  so  rarely  become." 

"  This  may  be  well  for  the  towering  fancies  of  thy 
French  imaginations,  but  our  slower  German  minds 
must  be  dealt  with  differently.  By  the  mass!  I 
would  give  little  for  the  success  of  the  confessor, 
that  should  deal  only  in  persuasive  and  gentle  dis 
course  !  Here,  we  throw  out  manifold  hints  of  dam 
nation,  in  plainer  speech." 

"  I  condemn  no  usage  on  speculation,  Benedic 
tine  ;  but  truly  this  directness  of  condemnation  would 
be  thought  indecorous  in  our  more  refined  presences. 
As  yet,  thou  wilt  acknowledge,  we  are  less  tainted 
with  heresies  than  thy  northern  courts." 

Here  the  deep  voice  of  Emich,  who  had  recov. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  133 

ered  a  little  self-command,  again  drowned  the  by 
play  of  the  subordinates. 

"  We  are  not  children,  most  reverend  Bonifacius," 
he  resumed,  "  to  irritate  ourselves  with  names. 
That  I  have  been  denied  the  honors  and  rights  of 
my  birth  and  line,  for  one  come  of  no  direct  descent, 
is  admitted ;  but  let  it  be  forgotten.  Thou  art  wel 
come  to  my  board,  and  there  is  no  dignitary  of  the 
church,  or  of  thy  brotherhood,  that  I  esteem  more 
than  thee  and  thine,  within  a  hard  ride  of  these 
towers.  Let  us  be  friends,  holy  Abbot,  and  drink  to 
our  loving  graces." 

"  Count  Emich,  I  pledge  thee,  and  pray  for  thee, 
as  thou  meritest.  If  there  have  been  misunder 
standings  between  our  convent  and  thy  house,  they 
have  come  of  the  misguiding  of  the  devil.  We  are 
a  peaceful  community,  and  one  given  more  to 
prayer  and  a  just  hospitality,  than  to  any  grasping 
desire  to  enrich  our  coffers." 

"  On  these  points  we  will  not  dwell,  father,  for  it 
is  not  easy  for  baron  and  abbot,  layman  and  priest, 
to  see  at  all  times  with  the  same  eyes.  I  would  that 
this  question  of  authority  in  Deurckheim  were  fairly 
disposed  of,  that  there  might  always  be  good  neigh 
borhood  in  the  valley.  Our  hills  shut  in  no  wide 
plain,  like  yon  of  the  river,  that  we  must  needs  turn 
the  little  level  land  we  have  into  a  battle-ground. 
By  the  mass,  most  holy  Abbot,  but  thou  wouldst  do 
well  to  dismiss  the  Elector's  troops,  and  trust  this 
matter  between  us,  to  gentle  and  friendly  argu 
ment." 

"  If  it  were  the  last  prayer  I  uttered,  before  pass 
ing  into  the  fruition  of  a  self-denying  and  holy  life, 
princely  Emich,  thy  wish  should  not  want  support ! 
Have  we  not  often  professed  a  willingness  to  refer 
the  question  to  the  Holy  Father,  or  any  other  high 
church  authority,  that  can  fittingly  take  cognizance 
M 


134  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

of  so  knotty  a  point.  Less  than  this  arbitration 
would  scarce  become  our  apostolic  mission." 

"  God's  truth !  mein  Herr  Wilhelm,  but  ye  are 
too  grasping  for  those  who  mortify  the  flesh  !  Is  it 
meet,  I  ask  ye,  that  a  goodly  number  of  valiant  and 
pains-taking  burghers  should  be  led  by  shaven  crowns, 
in  the  day  of  strife,  in  fair  and  foul,  evil  and  good, 
like  so  many  worthless  women,  who,  having  lived  in 
the  idleness  and  vanities  of  gossip  and  backbiting, 
are  fain  to  hope  that  their  sex's  sins  may  be  hid  be 
neath  a  monk's  frock  1  Give  me  up,  therefore,  this 
question  of  Deurckheim,  and  certain  other  rights 
that  might  be  fairly  written  out,  and  the  saints  in 
Paradise  shall  not  live  in  more  harmony  than  we  of 
the  Jaegerthal." 

"  Truly,  Lord  Emich,  the  means  of  fitting  us  for 
the  heavenly  state  thou  namest  have  not  been  for 
gotten,  since  thou  hast  made  a  purgatory  of  the  val- 
icy  these  many  years " 

"  By  the  mass,  priest,  thou  again  pushest  thy  re 
marks  beyond  discreet  speech!  In  what  manner 
have  I  done  aught  to  bring  this  scandal  on  the  neigh 
borhood,  beyond  a  mere  forethought  to  mine  own 
interest.  Hast  thou  not  opened  thy  abbey-gates  to 
receive  armed  and  irreligious  men? — are  not  thy 
ears  hourly  wounded  by  rude  oaths,  and  thy  eyes 
affronted  by  sights  that  should  be  thought  unseemly 
in  a  sanctuary? — Nay,  that  thou  mayest  not  suppose 
I  am  ignorant  of  thy  hidden  intentions,  do  not  the 
armed  bands  of  Duke  Friedrich  lie  at  watch,  this 
very  moment,  within  thy  cloisters  ?" 

"  We  have  a  just  caution  of  our  rights  and  of  the 
church's  honor,"  answered  Bonifacius,  who  scarce 
endeavored  to  conceal  the  contemptuous  smile  the 
question  excited. 

"  Believe  me,  Abbot  of  Limburg,  so  far  from  be 
ing  the  enemy  of  our  holy  religion,  I  am  its  sworn 
friend ;  else  should  I  long  since  have  joined  the  pros- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  135 

elytes  of  this  brother  Luther,  and  have  done  theo 
harm  openly." 

"  'Twere  better  than  to  pray  at  our  altars  by  day, 
and  to  plot  their  fall  at  night." 

"  I  swear  by  the  life  of  the  Emperor  that  thou 
urgest  me  too  far,  haughty  priest !" 

The  chmor  created  by  the  Abbe  and  Father  Sieg 
fried  here  caused  the  two  principal  speakers  to  di 
rect  their  attention,  for  the  moment,  to  the  second 
ary  combatants.  From  a  courtly  dispute,  the  argu 
ment  had  got  to  be  so  confused  and  warm,  between 
the  latter,  that  each  raised  his  voice  in  a  vain  en 
deavor  to  drown  that  of  his  adversary.  It  was  but 
an  instant,  oefore  the  whirling  senses  of  M.  Latouche, 
who  had  only  maintained  his  present  place  in  the 
debauch  by  fraud,  gave  way  to  so  rude  an  assault, 
and  he  staggered  to  a  settee,  where,  gesticulating 
wildly,  he  soon  sunk  at  his  length,  unable  to  lift  his 
head.  Father  Siegfried  witnessed  the  retreat  of  his 
mercurial  foe  with  a  grin  of  exultation ;  then  he 
raised  a  ferocious  shout,  which,  coming  from  lungs 
that  had  so  lately  chanted  to  the  honor  of  God,  caus 
ed  the  young  Berchthold  to  shudder  with  horror. 
But  the  glazed  eyes  of  the  monk,  and  his  failing 
countenance,  betrayed  an  inability  to  endure  more. 
After  staring  wildly  about  him,  with  the  unmeaning 
idiotcy  of  a  drunkard,  he  settled  himself  in  his  chair, 
and  closed  his  eyes  in  the  heavy  sleep  that  nature 
unwillingly  furnishes  to  those  who  abuse  her  gifts. 

The  Abbot  and  the  Count  witnessed  the  manner 
in  which  their  respective  seconds  were  thus  put  hors 
de  combat,  in  sullen  silence.  Their  growing  warmth, 
and  the  feelings  excited  by  the  mention  of  their 
several  grievances,  had  insensibly  drawn  their  atten 
tion  from  the  progress  of  the  contest,  but  each  now 
regained  a  certain  glimpse  of  its  nature  and  of  its 
results ;  the  recollection  served  to  recall  the  temper 
of  both,  for  they  were  too  well  practised  in  thes« 


136  THE  HEIDEINMAUER. 

scenes,  not  to  understand  the  value  of  presence  of 
mind  in  maintaining  the  comm'and  of  their  faculties. 

"  Our  brother  Siegfried  hath  yielded  to  the  frail 
ties  of  nature,  noble  Emich,"  resumed  Boniface, 
smiling  as  placidly  on  his  remaining  companion,  as 
flushed  features  and  a  heated  eye  would  permit. 
"  The  flesh  of  priest  can  endure  no  more  than  that 
of  layman,  else  would  he  have  seen  thy  flasks  drain 
ed  of  their  last  drop,  for  better  intention  never  filled 
grateful  heart,  in  doing  honor  to  the  gifts  of  Provi 
dence." 

"  Ay,  thou  passest  thy  debauches  to  the  account 
of  this  subtilty,  while  we  of  the  sword,  Master 
Abbot,  sin  to-night,  and  ask  forgiveness  to-morrow, 
without  other  pretence  than  our  pleasures.  But  the 
hood  of  a  monk  is  a  mask,  and  he  who  wears  it 
thinks  he  hath  a  right  to  the  benefit  of  the  disguise. 
I  would  I  knew,  to  a  boddice,  the  number  of 
burghers'  wives  thou  hast  shrived  since  Corpus 
Domini !" 

"  Jest  not  with  the  secrets  of  the  confessional, 
Count  Emich ;  the  subject  is  too  sacred  for  profane 
tongues.  There  has  been  bitter  penance  for  greater 
than  thou  !" 

"Nay,  mistake  me  not,  holy  Abbot,"  returned 
the  baron,  hurriedly  crossing  himself ;  "  but  your 
bold  talkers  say  there  is  discontent  in  Deurckheim 
on  this  point,  and  I  deem  it  friendly  to  communi 
cate  the  accusations  of  the  enemy.  This  is  a  mo 
ment  in  which  our  German  monks  are  in  danger 
for,  in  sooth,  thy  brother  of  Erfurth  is  no  drivellei 
in  his  cry  against  Rome." 

The  eye  of  Father  Boniface  flashed  fire,  for  none 
are  so  quick  to  meet,  or  so  violent  to  resent  at 
tacks,  on  what  they  consider  their  rights,  as  those 
who  have  long  been  permitted  to  enjoy  monopolies 
however  frail  or  unjust  may  be  the  tenure  of  theii 
possession. 


THE  HEIDEJNMAUER.  137 

"  In  thy  heart,  rude  Emich,  thou  clingest  to  this 
heresy  !"  he  said :  "  Beware,  in  what  manner  thou 
castest  the  weight  of  thy  example  and  name  into 
the  scale,  against  the  commands  of  God  and  the 
authority  of  the  church!  As  for  this  Luther,  a 
backsliding  wretch,  that  unquiet  ambition  and  love 
for  a  professed  but  misguided  nun,  having  urged  to 
rebellion,  the  devils  are  rejoicing  in  his  iniquity,  and 
imps  of  darkness  stand  ready  to  riot  in  his  final  and 
irretrievable  fall." 

"  By  the  mass  !  father,  to  a  plain  soldier  it  seem- 
eth  better  to  wive  the  sister  honestly,  than  to  give 
all  this  scandal  in  Deurckheim,  and  otherwise  to  do 
violence  to  the  peace  of  families  on  the  fair  plains 
of  the  Palatinate.  If  brother  Luther  hath  done  no 
more,  than  thou  sayest  here,  he  hath  fairly  cheated 
Satan,  which  is  what  thy  community  did^  of  old, 
when  it  got  the  evil  spirit  to  aid  in  raising  thy 
chapel,  and  then,  with  no  great  regard  to  a  debtor's 
obligations,  sent  him  away  penniless." 

"  Were  the  truth  known,  Emich,  I  fear  it  would 
be  found  that  thou  hast  faith  in  this  silly  legend !" 

"  If  thou  hast  not  outwitted  the  devil,  priest,  it 
hath  been  that  his  prudence  hath  kept  him  from  bar 
gaining  with  those  he  knows  to  be  his  betters  in  cun 
ning.  By  the  rood !  'twas  a  bold  spirit  that  would 
grapple,  wit  to  wit,  with  the  monks  of  Limburg  !" 

Disdain  kept  the  Abbot  from  answering,  for  he 
was  too  superior  to  vulgar  tradition  to  feel  even  re 
sentment  at  an  imputation  of  this  kind.  His  host 
perceived  that  he  was  losing  ground,  and  he  began 
to  see,  by  the  manner  in  which  his  senses  were 
slowly  receding,  that  he  was  in  imminent  danger  of 
forfeiting  the  important  stake  that  now  depended 
wholly  on  his  powers  of  endurance.  The  Abbot 
had  a  well-earned  reputation  of  having  the  strongest 
head  of  all  the  churchmen  of  the  Palatinate,  and 
Count  Emich,  who  was  nowise  wanting  in  physicaJ 
M2 


138  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

excellence  of  this  sort,  began  to  feel  that  species  of 
failing  which  is  commonly  the  forerunner,  as  it  is 
often  the  cause,  of  defeat.  He  swallowed  bumper 
after  bumper,  with  a  reckless  desire  to  overwhelm 
his  antagonist,  without  thought  of  the  inroads  that 
he  was  producing  on  his  own  faculties.  Bonifacius, 
who  saw  and  felt  his  superiority,  willingly  indulged 
his  antagonist  in  this  feverish  desire  to  drive  the 
struggle  to  a  premature  issue,  and  several  glasses 
were  taken  in  a  sort  of  sullen  defiance,  without  a 
syllable  issuing  from  the  lips  of  either.  In  this 
strait,  the  Count  turned  his  swimming  eyes  towards 
his  attendants,  in  a  vague  hope  that  they  who  served 
him  so  faithfully  on  ordinary  occasions,  might  aid 
him  in  the  present  desperate  emergency. 

Young  Berchthold  Hintermayer  stood  near  his 
lord,  in  ^respectful  attendance  on  his  pleasure,  for 
habit  prevented  him  from  withdrawing  without  an 
order.  Enough  had  fallen  from  the  parties  in  this 
singular  contest  to  let  him  into  the  secret  of  its  ob 
ject.  He  appeared  to  understand  the  appeal,  and 
advancing  to  do  the  office  of  cup-bearer,  a  duty 
that  in  truth  required  some  such  interference,  for  he 
who  should  have  discharged  it  had  been  too  dili 
gently  imitating  those  at  the  board,  to  be  able  any 
longer  to  acquit  himself  with  propriety  of  his  func 
tions. 

"  If  my  Lord  Abbot  would  but  relieve  the  passing 
time,"  said  Berchthold,  as  he  poured  out  the  wine, 
"by  descanting  more  at  large  on  this  heresy,  he 
might  be  the  instrument  of  saving  a  doubting  soul ; 
I  freely  confess,  that  for  one,  I  find  much  reason  to 
distrust  the  faith  of  my  fathers." 

This  was  attacking  the  Abbot  on  his  weakest,  not 
to  say  his  only  vulnerable,  point 

"  Thou  shalt  smart  for  this,  bold  boy  !"  he  cried, 
striking  the  table  with  a  clenched  fist.  "  Thou  har- 
borest  heresies,  unfledged  and  paltry  reasoner  on 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  139 

apostolic  missions !    Tis  well— 'tis  well— the  impu 
dent  avowal  is  noted !" 

Emich  made  a  sign  of  gratitude,  for  in  his  rage 
the  priest  took  a  heavy  draught,  unconscious  of 
what  he  was  about. 

"Nay,  my  Lord,  the  most  reverend  Abbot  will 
pardon  imprudent  speech  in  one  little  gifted  in 
knowledge  of  this  sort.  Were  it  to  strike  a  wild- 
boar,  or  to  stop  a  roe-buck,  or  haply  to  do  harm  to 
my  master's  enemies,  this  hand  might  prove  of  some 
account ;  but  is  it  matter  of  fair  surprise  that  we  of 
simple  wit  should  be  confounded,  when  the  most 
learned  of  Germany  are  at  a  loss  what  to  believe  1 
I  have  heard  it  said,  that  Master  Luther  made  noble 
answers  in  all  the  councils  and  wise  bodies,  in  which 
he  hath  of  late  appeared." 

«  He  spoke  with  the  tongue  of  Lucifer !"  roared 
the  Abbot,  fairly  frothing  with  the  violence  of  un 
governable  rage.  "  Whence  cometh  this  new  and 
late-discovered  religion !  Of  what  stock  and  root  is 
it  1  Why  hath  it  been  so  long  hid,  and  where  is  its 
early  history  1  Doth  it  mount  to  Peter  and  Paul,  or 
is  it  the  invention  of  modern  arrogance  and  rank 
conceit  ?" 

"  Nay,  father,  the  same  might  be  asked  of  Rome 
itself,  before  Rome  knew  an  apostle.  The  tree  is 
not  less  a  tree  after  it  hath  been  trimmed  of  its  de 
cayed  branches,  though  it  may  be  more  comely." 

Father  Bonifacius  was  both  acute  and  learned, 
and,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  even  the  monk 
of  Wittenberg  might  have  found  him  a  stubborn  and 
subtle  casuist ;  but  in  his  actual  condition,  the  most 
sophistical  remark,  if  it  had  but  the  aspect  of  reason, 
was  likely  to  inflame  him.  Thus  assailed,  therefore, 
he  exhibited  an  awful  picture  of  the  ferocity  of  hu 
man  passions  when  brutalized  by  indulgence.  His 
eyes  seemed  starting  from  his  head,  his  lips  quiverea, 
and  his  tongue  refused  its  functions.  He  was  now 


140  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

in  the  predicament,  in  which  the  Count  had  so  lal  y 
stood;  and,  though  he  foresaw  the  consequen*  ,s 
with  the  desperation  of  an  inebriated  man,  he  sou  ^ht 
the  renewal  of  his  forces  in  the  very  agent  which 
had  undermined  them.  Count  Emich  himself  was 
past  intelligible  utterance,  but  eloquence  not  being 
his  strongest  arm,  he  still  maintained  sufficient  com 
mand  of  his  physical  powers  to  continue  the  conflict. 
He  flourished  his  hand  in  defiance,  and  muttered 
words  that  seemed  to  breathe  hatred  and  scorn.  In 
this  manner  did  a  noble  of  an  illustrious  and  princely 
house,  and  a  mitred  prelate  of  the  church,  stand  at 
bay,  with  little  other  consciousness  of  the  existence 
of  the  nobler  faculties  of  their  being,  than  that  con 
nected  with  the  common  mercenary  object  which 
had  induced  this  trial  of  endurance. 

"  The  church's  malediction  on  ye  all !"  Boniface 
at  length  succeeded  in  uttering  : — then  falling  back 
in  his  elbowed  and  well-cushioned  chair,  he  yielded 
his  faculties  to  the  sinister  influence  of  the  liquor  he 
had  swallowed. 

When  Emich  of  Leiningen  witnessed  the  over 
throw  of  his  last  antagonist,  a  gleam  of  intelligence 
and  triumph  shot  from  beneath  his  shaggy  brows. 
By  a  desperate  effort  he  raised  himself,  and  stretch 
ing  forth  an  arm,  he  gained  possession  of  the  deed 
by  which  the  community  of  Limburg  formally  re 
leased  its  claims  upon  the  products  of  the  disputed 
vineyards.  Arising,  with  the  air  of  one  accustomed 
to  command  even  in  his  cups,  he  signed  for  his  for 
ester  to  approach,  and  aided  by  his  young  and  ner 
vous  arm,  he  tottered  from  the  room,  leaving  the 
banqueting-hall,  like  a  deserted  field,  a  revolting 
picture  of  human  infirmity  in  its  degradation  and 
neglect. 

As  the  Count  fell  heavily  upon  his  couch,  clad  as 
he  had  been  at  table,  he  shook  the  parchment 
towards  his  young  attendant,  till  the  folds  rattled 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  141 

Then  closing  his  eyes,  his  deep  and  troubled  breath 
ing  soon  announced,  that  the  victor  of  this  debauch 
lay  like  the  vanquished,  unconscious,  feverish,  and 
unmanned. 

Thus  terminated  the  well-known  debauch  of  Har- 
tenburg,  a  feat  of  physical  endurance  on  the  part 
of  the  stout  baron  who  prevailed,  that  gained  him 
little  less  renown  among  the  boon  companions  of 
the  Palatinate,  than  he  would  have  reaped  from  a 
victory  in  the  field  ;  and  which,  strange  as  it  may 
now  appear,  derogated  but  little  from  any  of  the 
qualities  of  the  vanquished. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


And  from  the  latticed  gallery  came  a  chant 
Of  psalms,  most  saint-like,  most  angelical, 
Verse  after  verse  sung  out  most  holily." 

ROGERS. 

THE  succeeding  day  was  the  Sabbath.  The 
morning  of  the  weekly  festival  was  always  an 
nounced  to  the  peasants  of  the  Jaegerthal  with  the 
usual  summons  to  devotion.  The  matin  bell  had 
been  heard  on  the  abbey  walls,  even  before  the  light 
penetrated  to  the  bottom  of  the  deep  vale ;  and  all 
the  pious  had  bent,  in  common,  wherever  the  sounds 
happened  to  reach  their  ears,  in  praise  and  thanks 
giving.  But  as  the  hours  wore  on,  a  more  elevated 
display  of  Roman  worship  was  prepared  in  the 
high  mass,  a  ceremony  addressed  equally  to  the 
feelings  and  the  senses. 

The  sun  was  fairly  above  the  hills,  and  the  sea 
son  bland  to  seduction.  The  domestic  cattle,  re 
lieved  from  their  weekly  toil,  basked  against  the 
hill-side,  ruminating  in  contentment,  and  filled  with 


142  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  quiet  pleasures  of  their  instinct.  Children  gam 
boiled  before  the  cottage  doors;  the  husbandman 
loitered,  in  the  habiliments  that  had  borne  the  fashions 
of  the  Haard  through  many  generations,  regarding 
the  silent  growth  of  his  crops,  and  the  housewife 
hurried  from  place  to  place,  in  the  excitement  of 
simple  domestic  enjoyment.  The  month  was  the 
most  grateful  of  the  twelve,  and  well  filled  with 
hopes.  The  grass  had  reached  its  height,  and  was 
throwing  out  its  exuberance,  the  corn  was  filling 
fast,  and  the  vine  began  to  give  forth  its  clusters. 

In  the  midst  of  this  scene  of  rural  tranquillity,  the 
deep-toned  bells  of  the  abbey  called  the  flock  to  its 
usual  fold.  Long  practice  had  made  the  brother 
hood  of  Limburg  expert  in  all  the  duties  that  were 
necessary  to  the  earthly  administration  of  their  func 
tions.  Even  the  peals  of  the  bells  were  regulated 
and  skilful.  Note  mournfully  succeeded  note,  and 
there  was  not  a  silent  dell,  for  miles,  into  which  the 
solemn  call  did  not  penetrate.  Bells  were  heard  too 
from  Deurckheim,  and  even  from  the  wide  plain  be 
yond  ;  but  none  rose  fuller  upon  the  air,  or  came  so 
sweet  and  melancholy  to  the  ear,  as  those  which 
hung  in  the  abbey  towers. 

Obedient  to  the  summons,  there  was  a  gathering 
of  all  in  the  valley  towards  the  gate  of  Limburg. 
A  crowd  appeared  also  in  the  direction  of  the  gorge, 
for  devotion,  superstition,  or  curiosity,  never  failed 
to  attract  a  multitude  on  these  occasions,  to  witness 
mass  in  that  celebrated  conventual  chapel.  Among 
the  latter  came  equally  the  sceptical  and  the  believ 
ing,  the  young  and  the  old,  the  fair  and  her  who 
deemed  it  prudent  to  shade  a  matronly  countenance 
with  the  veil,  the  idle,  the  half-converted  follower 
of  Luther,  and  the  lover  of  music.  It  was  custom 
ary  for  one  of  the  brothers  to  preach,  when  mass 
was  ended;  and  Limburg  had  many  monks  that  were 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  143 

skilled  in  the  subtleties  of  the  times,  and  some  even 
who  had  names  for  eloquence. 

With  a  management  and  coquetry  that  enter  into 
most  human  devices  that  are  intended  to  act  on  our 
feelings,  especially  in  matters  that  it  is  not  thought 
safe  to  confide  too  much  to  naked  reason,  the  peals  of 
the  bells  were  continued  long,  with  a  view  to  effect 
As  group  after  group  arrived,  the  court  of  the  abbey 
slowly  filled,  until  there  appeared  a  congregation 
sufficiently  numerous  to  gratify  the  self-love  of  even 
a  clerical  star  of  our  own  times.  There  was  much 
grave  salutation  among  the  different  dignitaries  that 
were  here  assembled,  for  of  all  those  who  doff  the 
cap  in  courtesy,  perhaps  the  German  is  the  most 
punctilious  and  respectful.  As  the  neighboring  city 
was  fully  represented  in  this  assembly  of  the  reli 
gious  and  curious,  there  was  also  a  profitable  display 
of  the  duties  that  are  due  to  station.  A  herald 
might  have  obtained  many  useful  hints,  had  he  been 
there  to  note  the  different  degrees  of  simple  homage 
that  were  paid,  from  the  Burgomaster  to  the  Bailiff. 
Among  the  variety  of  idle  and  ill-digested  remarks 
that  are  lavished  on  the  American  people  and  their 
institutions,  it  is  a  received  pleasantry  to  joke  on 
their  attachment  to  official  dignities.  But  he  who 
has  not  only  seen,  but  observed  both  his  own  coun 
trymen  and  strangers,  will  have  had  numberless  oc 
casions  to  remark  that  this,  like  most  similar  stric 
tures,  is  liable  to  the  imputation  of  vapidity,  and  of 
being  proof  of  a  narrow  observation.  The  func 
tionary  that  is  literally  a  servant  of  the  people, 
whatever  may  be  his  dispositions,  can  never  triumph 
over  his  masters ;  and,  though  it  be  an  honest  and 
commendable  ambition  to  wish  to  be  so  distinguished, 
we  need  only  examine  the  institutions  to  see  that 
in  this,  as  in  most  other  similar  circumstances,  there 
Is  no  strict  analogy  between  ourselves  and  European 
nations.  The  remark  has  probably  been  made,  be- 


144  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

cause  a  respect  for  official  authority  has  been  found 
among  us,  when  there  was  the  expectation,  and  pos 
sibly  the  wish,  to  find  anarchy. 

At  the  high  mass  of  Limburg  there  was  more 
ceremony  observed  in  ushering  the  meanest  village 
dignitary  to  his  place  in  the  church,  than  wrould  be 
observed  in  conducting  the  head  of  this  great  re 
public  to  the  high  station  he  occupies;  and  care  was 
had,  by  an  agent  of  the  convent,  to  see  that  no  one 
should  approach  the  altar  of  the  Lord  of  the  Uni 
verse,  without  his  receiving  the  deference  he  might 
claim  in  virtue  of  his  temporal  rank !  Here,  where 
all  appear  in  the  temple  as  they  must  appear  in  their 
graves,  equals  in  dependence  on  divine  support  as 
they  are  equals  in  frailty,  it  will  not  be  easy  to  un 
derstand  the  hardihood  of  sophistry  which  thus 
teaches  humility  and  penitence  with  the  tongue,  and 
invites  to  pride  and  presumption  in  the  practice ;  and 
which,  when  driven  to  a  reason  for  its  conduct,  de 
fends  itself  against  the  accusation  of  inconsistency, 
by  recriminating  the  charge  of  envy ! 

There  had  been  a  suitable  display  of  ceremony 
when  several  functionaries  of  Deurckheim  appeared 
but  the  strongest  manifestation  of  respect  was  re 
served  for  a  burgher,  who  did  not  enter  the  gates, 
until  the  people  were  assembled  in  the  body  of  the 
church.  This  personage,  a  man  whose  hair  was 
just  beginning  to  be  gray,  and  whose  solid,  vigorous 
frame  denoted  full  health  and  an  easy  life,  came  in 
the  saddle ;  for  at  the  period  of  which  we  write, 
there  was  a  bridle  path  to  the  portal  of  Limburg. 
He  was  accompanied  by  a  female,  seemingly  his 
spouse,  who  rode  an  ambling  nag,  bearing  on  the 
crupper  a  crone  that  clung  to  her  well-formed  waist, 
with  easy,  domestic  familiarity,  but  like  one  unused 
to  her  seat.  A  fair-haired,  rosy  girl  sat  the  pillion 
of  the  father,  and  a  serving-man,  in  a  species  of 
official  livery,  closed  the  cavalcade. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  145 

Sundry  of  the  more  substantial  citizens  ot  Deurck- 
fceim  hastened  to  the  reception  of  this  little  party, 
for  it  was  Heinrich  Frey,  with  Meta,  her  mother, 
and  Use,  that  came  unexpectedly  to  the  mass  of 
Limburg.  The  affluent  and  flourishing  citizen  was 
ushered  to  the  part  of  the  church  or  chapel,  where 
especial  chairs  were  reserved  for  such  casual  visits 
of  the  neighboring  functionaries,  or  for  any  noble 
that  devotion,  or  accident,  might  lead  to  worship  at 
the  abbey's  altars. 

Heinrich  Frey  was  a  stout,  hale,  obstinate,  sturdy 
burgher,  in  whom  prosperity  had  a  little  cooled  be 
nevolence,  but  who,  had  he  escaped  the  allurements 
of  office  and  the  recollection  of  his  own  success, 
might  have  passed  through  life,  as  one  that  was 
wanting  in  neither  modesty  nor  humanity.  He  was, 
in  short,  on  a  diminished  scale,  one  of  those  ex 
amples  of  desertion  from  the  ranks  of  mankind  to 
the  corps  d'elite  of  the  lucky,  that  we  constantly 
witness  among  the  worldly  and  fortunate.  While  a 
youth,  he  had  been  sufficiently  considerate  for  the 
burthens  and  difficulties  of  the  unhappy ;  but  a  mar 
riage  with  a  small  heiress,  and  subsequent  successes, 
had  gradually  brought  him  to  a  view  of  things,  that 
was  more  in  unison  with  his  own  particular  inter 
ests,  than  it  was  either  philosophical  or  christian-like. 
He  was  a  firm  believer  in  that  dictum  which  says 
none  but  the  wealthy  havr  sufficient  interest  in  so 
ciety  to  be  intrusted  with  it  control,  though  his  own 
instinct  might  have  detected  the  sophistry,  since  he 
was  daily  vacillating  between  opposing  principles, 
just  as  they  happened  to  affect  his  own  particular 
concerns.  Heinrich  Frey  gave  freely  to  the  men 
dicant,  and  to  the  industrious ;  but  when  it  came  to 
be  a  question  of  any  serious  melioration  of  the  lot 
of  either,  he  shook  his  head,  in  a  manner  to  imply 
a  mysterious  political  economy,  and  uttered  shrewd 
remarks  on  the  bases  of  society,  and  of  things  as 
N 


146  1HE  HEIDENMAUER. 

they  were  established.  In  short,  he  lived  in  an  age 
when  Germany,  and  indeed  all  Christendom,  was 
much  agitated  by  a  question  that  was  likely  to  un 
settle  not  only  the  religion  of  the  day,  but  divers 
other  vested  interests ;  and  he  might  have  been  term 
ed  the  chief  of  the  conservative  party,  in  his  own 
particular  circle.  These  qualities,  united  to  his  known 
wealth ;  a  reputation  for  high  probity,  which  was 
founded  on  the  belief  that  he  was  fully  able  to  re 
pair  any  pecuniary  wrong  he  might  happen  to  com 
mit;  a  sturdy  maintenance  of  his  own  opinions, 
that  passed  with  the  multitude  for  the  consistency 
of  rectitude ;  and  a  perfect  fearlessness  in  deciding 
against  all  those  who  had  not  the  means  of  disputing 
his  decrees,  had  procured  for  him  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  Burgomaster  of  Deurckheim. 

Were  the  countenance  a  certain  index  of  the 
qualities  of  the  mind,  a  physiognomist  might  have 
been  at  a  loss  to  discover  the  motives  which  had  in 
duced  Ulricka  Hailtzinger,  not  only  the  fairest  but 
the  wealthiest  maiden  of  the  town,  to  unite  herself 
in  marriage  with  the  man  we  have  just  delineated. 
A  mild,  melancholy,  blue  eye,  that  retained  its  lustre 
in  despite  of  forty  years,  a  better  outline  of  features 
than  is  common  to  the  region  in  which  she  dwelt, 
and  a  symmetry  of  arm  and  bust  that,  on  the  other 
hand,  are  rather  peculiar  to  the  natives  of  Germany, 
still  furnished  sufficient  evidence  of  the  beauty  for 
which  she  must  have  been  distinguished  in  early 
life.  In  addition  to  these  obvious  and  more  vulgar 
attractions,  the  matronly  partner  of  Heinrich  had 
an  expression  of  feminine  delicacy  and  intelligence, 
of  elevated  views,  and  even  of  mysterious  aspira 
tions,  which  rendered  her  a  woman  that  a  nice  ob 
server  of  nature  might  have  loved  to  study — ana 
have  studied  to  love. 

In  personal  appearance,  Meta  was  a  copy  of  her 
mother,  engrafted  on  the  more  ruddy  health  and  less 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  147 

abstracted  nabits  of  the  father  Her  character  will 
be  sufficiently  developed  as  we  proceed  in  the  tale. 
We  commit  Ilse  to  the  reader's  imagination,  which 
will  readily  conceive  the  sort  of  attendant  that  has 
been  introduced. 

The  Herr  Heinrich  did  not  take  possession  of  his 
customary  post  before  the  high  altar,  without  caus 
ing  the  stir  and  excitement  among  the  simple  peas 
ants  of  the  Jaegerthal,  and  the  truant  Deurckheimers 
who  were  present,  that  became  his  condition  in  life. 
But  even  city  importance  cannot  predominate  for 
ever  in  the  house  of  God,  and  the  bustle  gradually 
subsiding,  expectation  began  to  take  precedency  of 
civic  rank. 

The  Abbey  of  Limburg  stood  high  among  the 
religious  communities  of  the  Rhine,  for  its  internal 
decorations,  its  wealth,  and  its  hospitality.  The 
chapel  was  justly  deemed  a  rare  specimen  of  mo 
nastic  taste,  nor  was  it  wanting  in  most  of  those  or 
naments  and  decorations,  that  render  the  superior 
buildings,  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  Church  of 
Rome,  so  imposing  to  the  senses,  and  so  pleasing  to 
the  admirers  of  solemn  effect.  The  building  was 
vast,  and,  as  prevailed  throughout  that  region  and 
in  the  century  of  which  we  write,  sombre.  It  had 
numerous  altars,  rich  in  marbles  and  pictures,  each 
celebrated  in  the  Palatinate  for  the  kind  mediation 
of  the  particular  saint  to  whom  it  was  dedicated, 
and  each  loaded  with  the  votive  offerings  of  the 
suppliant,  or  of  the  grateful.  The  walls  and  the 
nave  were  painted  al  fresco,  not  indeed  with  the 
pencil  of  Raphael,  or  'Buonorotti,  but  creditably, 
and  in  a  manner  to  heighten  the  beauty  of  the  place. 
The  choir  was  carved  in  high  relief,  after  a  fashion 
much  esteemed,  and  that  was  admirably  executed  in 
the  middle  states  of  Europe,  no  less  than  in  Italy, 
and  whole  flocks  of  cherubs  were  seen  poising  on 
.he  wing  around  the  organ,  the  altar,  and  the  tombs. 


148  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

The  latter  were  numerous,  and  indicated,  by  their 
magnificence,  that  the  bodies  of  those  who  had  en 
joyed  the  world's  advantages,  slept  within  the  hal 
lowed  precincts. 

At  length  a  door,  communicating  with  the  clois 
ters,  opened,  and  the  monks  appeared,  walking  in 
procession.  At  their  head  came  the  Abbot,  wearing 
his  mitre,  and  adorned  with  the  gorgeous  robes  of 
his  ecclesiastical  office.  Two  priests,  decorated 
for  the  duties  of  the  altar,  followed,  and  then  suc 
ceeded  the  professed  and  the  assistants,  in  pairs. 
The  whole  procession  swept  through  the  aisles,  in 
stately  silence ;  and,  after  making  the  tour  of  most 
of  the  church,  paying  homage  and  offering  prayers 
at  several  of  the  most  honored  altars,  it  passed  into 
the  choir.  Father  Bonifacius  was  seated  on  his 
episcopal  throne,  and  the  rest  of  the  brotherhood 
occupied  the  glossy  stalls  reserved  for  such  occa 
sions.  During  the  march  of  the  monks,  the  organ 
breathed  a  low  accompaniment,  and,  as  they  be 
came  stationary,  its  last  strain  died  in  the  vaulted 
roof.  At  this  moment  the  clattering  of  horses'  hoofs 
was  audible  without,  causing  the  startled  and 
uneasy  priests  to  suspend  the  mass.  The  rattling 
of  steel  came  next,  and  then  the  heavy  tread  of 
armed  heels  was  heard  on  the  pavement  of  the 
church  itself. 

Emich  of  Hartenburg  came  up  the  principal  aisle, 
with  the  steady  front  of  one  confident  of  his  power, 
and  claiming  deference.  He  was  accompanied  by 
his  guests,  the  Knight  of  Rhodes  and  Monsieur  La- 
touche,  while  young  Berchthold  Hintermayer  kept 
at  his  elbow,  like  one  accustomed  to  be  in  close  at 
tendance.  A  small  train  of  unarmed  dependants 
brought  up  the  rear.  There  was  a  seat  of  honor, 
in  the  choir  itself,  and  near  the  master  altar,  to" 
which  it  was  usual  to  admit  princes  and  nobles  of 
high  consideration.  Passing  through  the  crowd, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  140 

that  had  collected  at  the  railing  of  the  choir,  the 
Count  inclined  towards  one  of  the  lateral  aisles,  and 
was  soon  face  to  face  with  the  Abbot.  The  latter 
arose,  and  slightly  recognized  the  presence  of  his 
guest,  while  the  whole  brotherhood  imitated  his  ex 
ample,  though  with  greater  respect;  for,  as  we 
have  said,  it  was  usual  to  pay  this  homage  to 
worldly  rank,  even  in  the  temple.  Emich  seated 
himself,  with  a  scowl  on  his  visage,  while  his  two 
noble  associates  found  seats  of  honor  near.  Berch- 
thold  stood  at  hand. 

An  inexperienced  eye  could  have  detected  no 
outward  signs  of  his  recent  defeat,  in  the  exterior 
Df  Wilhelm  of  Venloo.  His  muscles  had  already 
regained  their  tone,  and  his  entire  countenance  its 
usual  expression  of  severe  authority,  a  quality  for 
which  it  was  more  remarkable  than  for  any  lines 
of  mortification  or  of  thought.  He  glanced  at  the 
victor,  and  then,  by  a  secret  sign,  communicated 
with  a  lay  brother.  At  this  moment  the  mass  com 
menced. 

Of  all  the  nations  of  Christendom,  this,  compared 
with  its  numbers,  is  the  least  connected  with  the 
Church  of  Rome.  The  peculiar  religious  origin  of 
the  people,  their  habits  of  examination  and  mental 
independence,  and  their  prejudices  (for  the  Protest 
ant  is  no  more  free  from  this  failing  than  the  Catho 
lic,)  are  likely  to  keep  them  long  separated  from 
any  policy,  whether  of  church  or  state,  that  exacts 
faith  without  investigation,  or  obedience  without  the 
right  to  remonstrate.  An  opinion  is  sedulously  dis 
seminated  in  the  other  hemisphere,  that  busy  agents 
are  rapidly  working  changes  in  this  respect,  and  a 
powerful  party  is  anxiously  anticipating  great  eccle 
siastical  and  political  results  from  the  return  of  the 
American  nation  to  the  opinions  of  their  ancestors 
of  the  middle  ages.  Were  the  fact  so,  it  would 
give  us  little  concern,  for  we  do  not  believe  s*I- 
N2 


150  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

ration  to  be  the  peculiar  province  of  sects ;  but,  had 
we  any  apprehensions  of  the  consequences  of  such 
a  conversion,  they  would  not  be  excited  by  the  acci 
dental  accumulations  of  emigrants  in  towns,  or  on 
the  public  works  in  which  the  country  is  so  actively 
engaged.  We  believe  that  where  one  native  Pro 
testant  becomes  a  Catholic  in  America,  ten  emigrant 
Catholics  drop  quietly  into  the  ranks  of  the  prevail 
ing  sects ;  and,  without  at  all  agitating  the  point  of 
which  is  the  gainer  or  the  loser  by  the  change,  we 
shall  proceed  to  describe  the  manner  of  the  mass, 
as  a  ceremony,  that  ninety-nine  in  a  hundred  of  our 
readers  have  never  had,  nor  probably  ever  will 
have,  an  opportunity  of  witnessing. 

There  is  no  appeal  to  the  feelings  of  man,  which 
has  given  rise  to  opinions  so  decidedly  at  vari 
ance  as  those  which  are  entertained  of  the  Roman 
ritual.  To  one  description  of  Christians,  these  cere 
monies  appear  to  be  vain  mummeries,  invented  to 
delude,  and  practised  for  unjustifiable  ends  ;  while, 
to  another,  they  contain  all  that  is  sublime  and  im 
posing  in  human  worship.  As  is  usual  in  most 
cases  of  extreme  opinions,  the  truth  would  seem  to 
lie  between  the  two.  The  most  zealous  Catholic 
errs  when  he  would  maintain  the  infallibility  of  all 
who  minister  at  the  altar,  or  when  he  overlooks  the 
slovenly  and  irreverent  manner  in  which  the  most 
holy  offices  are  so  frequently  perfoimed  ;  and, 
surely,  the  Protestant  who  quits  the  temple,  in  which 
justice  has  been  done  to  the  formula  of  this  church, 
without  perceiving  that  there  is  deep  and  sublime 
devotion  in  its  rites,  has  steeled  his  feelings  against 
the  admission  of  every  sentiment  in  favor  of  a  sect 
that  he  is  willing  to  proscribe.  We  belong  to 
neither  class,  and  shall,  therefore,  endeavor  to  re 
present  things  as  they  have  been  seen,  not  disguising 
or  affecting  a  single  emotion  because  our  fathers 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  151 

Happened  to  take  refuge  in  this  western  wor/d,  to 
set  up  altars  of  a  different  shade  of  faith. 

The  interior  of  the  Abbey-church  of  Limburg,  as 
has  just  been  stated,  was  renowned  in  Germany  for 
its  magnificence.  Its  vaulted  roof  was  supported 
by  many  massive  pillars,  and  ornamented  with 
scriptural  stories,  by  the  best  pencils  of  that  region. 
The  grand  altar  was  of  marble,  richly  embellished 
with  agate,  containing  as  usual  a  labored  represent 
ation  of  the  blessed  Mary  and  her  deified  child.  A 
railing  of  exquisite  workmanship  and  richly  gilded, 
excluded  profane  feet  from  this  sanctified  spot, 
which,  in  addition  to  its  fixtures,  was  now  glittering 
with  vessels  of  gold  and  precious  stones,  being  dec 
orated  for  the  approaching  mass.  The  officiating 
priests  \vore  vestments  stiffened  with  golden  em 
broidery,  while  the  inferior  attendants  were  as 
usual  clad  in  white,  and  bound  with  scarfs  of  purple. 

Upon  this  scene  of  gorgeous  and  elaborate  splen 
dor,  in  which  the  noble  architecture  united  with  the 
minute  preparations  of  the  service,  to  lead  the  spirit 
to  lofty  contemplations,  the  chant  of  the  monks,  and 
the  tones  of  the  organ,  broke  in  a  deep  and  startling 
appeal  to  the  soul.  Lives  dedicated  to  the  prac 
tices  of  their  community,  had  drilled  the  brother 
hood  into  perfection,  and  scarce  a  note  issued 
among  the  vaults  that  was  not  attuned  to  the  de 
sired  effect.  Trombones,  serpents,  and  viols,  lent 
their  aid  to  increase  the  solemn  melody  of  powerful 
masculine  voices,  which  were  so  blended  with  the 
wind  instrument  as  to  comprise  but  one  deep,  grand, 
and  grave  sound  of  praise.  Count  Emich  turned 
on  his  seat,  clenching  the  handle  of  his  sword,  as  if 
the  clamor  of  the  trumpet  were  in  his  ears :  then 
his  unquiet  glance  met  that  of  the  Abbot,  and  his 
chin  fell  upon  a  hand.  As  the  service  proceeded, 
the  zeal  of  the  brotherhood  seemed  to  increase,  and, 
as  it  was  afterwards  remarked,  on  no  occasion  had 


152  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  mass  of  Limburg,  at  all  times  known  for  its 
power  in  music,  been  so  remarkable  for  its  strong 
and  stirring  influence.  Voice  rolled  above  voice, 
in  a  manner  that  must  be  heard  to  be  understood, 
and  there  were  moments  when  the  tones  of  the  in 
struments,  full  and  united  as  they  were,  appeared 
drowned  in  the  blending  of  a  hundred  human 
aspirations.  From  the  deepest  of  one  of  these  sol 
emn  peals  there  arose  a  strain,  at  whose  first  tone 
all  other  music  was  hushed.  It  was  a  single  human 
voice,  of  that  admixture  of  the  male  and  female 
tones  which  seems  nearest  allied  to  the  supernatu 
ral,  being  in  truth,  a  contr'alto  of  great  compass, 
roundness,  and  sweetness.  Count  Emich  started, 
for,  when  these  heavenly  strains  broke  upon  his 
ear,  they  seemed  to  float  in  the  vault  above  the 
choir ;  nor  could  he,  as  the  singer  was  concealed, 
assure  himself  of  the  delusion,  while  the  solo  lasted. 
He  dropped  his  sword,  and  gazed  about  him,  foi 
the  first  time  that  morning,  with  an  expression  of 
human  charity.  The  lips  of  young  Berchthold 
parted  in  admiration,  and  as  he  just  then  met  the 
blue  eye  of  Meta,  there  was  an  exchange  of  gentle 
feeling  in  that  quiet  and  secret  glance.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  chant  proceeded.  The  single  un 
earthly  voice  that  had  so  stirred  the  spirits  of  the 
listeners  ceased,  and  a  full  chorus  of  the  choir 
concluded  the  hymn. 

The  Count  of  Leiningen  drew  a  breath  so  heavy 
that  it  was  audible  to  Bonifacius.  The  latter  suf 
fered  his  countenance  to  unbend,  and,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  youthful  pair,  the  spirit  of  concord  appeared 
to  soothe  the  tempers  of  these  fierce  rivals.  But 
here  commenced  the  ritual  of  the  mass.  The  rapid 
utterance  of  the  officiating  priest,  gesticulations 
which  lost  their  significance  by  being  blended  and 
indistinct,  and  prayers  in  a  tongue  that  defeated 
their  object,  by  involving  instead  of  rendering  tho 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  153 

medium  of  thought  noble  and  clear,  united  to  weak 
en  the  effect  produced  by  the  music.  Worship  lost 
its  character  of  inspiration,  by  assuming  that  of 
business,  neither  attracting  the  imagination,  influ 
encing  the  feelings,  nor  yet  sufficiently  convincing 
the  reason.  Abandoning  all  these  persuasive  means, 
too  much  was  left  to  the  convictions  of  a  naked  and 
settled  belief. 

Emich  of  Hartenburg  gradually  resumed  his  re 
pulsive  mien,  and  the  effect  of  all  that  he  had  so  late 
ly  felt  was  lost  in  cold  indifference  to  words  that 
he  did  not  comprehend.  Even  young  Berchthold 
sought  the  eye  of  Meta  less  anxiously,  and  both  the 
Knight  of  Rhodes  and  Monsieur  Latouche  gazed 
listlessly  towards  the  throng  grouped  before  the 
railing  of  the  choir.  In  this  manner  did  the  service 
commence  and  terminate.  There  was  another 
hymn,  and  a  second  exhibition  of  the  power  of 
music,  though  with  an  effect  less  marked  than  that 
which  had  been  produced  when  the  listeners  were 
taken  by  surprise. 

Against  a  column,  near  the  centre  of  the  church, 
was  erected  a  pulpit.  A  monk  rose  from  his  stall, 
at  the  close  of  the  worship,  and,  passing  through 
the  crowd,  ascended  its  stairs  like  one  about  to 
preach.  It  was  Father  Johan,  a  brother  known  for 
the  devotedness  of  his  faith  and  the  severity  of  his 
opinions.  The  low  receding  forehead,  the  quiet  but 
glassy  eye,  and  the  fixedness  of  the  inferior  members 
of  the  face,  might  readily  have  persuaded  a  phys 
iognomist  that  he  beheld  a  heavy  enthusiast.  The 
language  and  opinions  of  the  preacher  did  not  deny 
the  expectations  excited  by  his  exterior.  He  painted, 
in  strong  and  ominous  language,  the  dangers  of  the 
sinner,  narrowed  the  fold  of  the  saved  within  meta 
physical  and  questionable  limits,  and  made  fiequent 
appeals  to  the  fears  and  to  the  less  noble  passions 
of  his  audience.  While  the  greater  number  in  the 


154  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

church  kept  aloof,  listening  indifferently,  or  gazing 
at  the  monuments  and  other  rich  decorations  of  the 
place,  a  knot  of  kindred  spirits  clustered  around  the 
pillar  that  supported  the  preacher's  desk,  deeply 
sympathizing  in  all  his  pictures  of  pain  and  desola 
tion. 

The  sharp,  angry,  and  denunciatory  address  of 
Father  Johan  was  soon  ended ;  and,  as  he  re-entered 
the  choir,  the  Abbot  arose  and  retired  to  the  clois 
ters,  followed  by  most  of  the  brotherhood.  But 
neither  the  Count  of  Hartenburg,  nor  any  of  his 
train,  seemed  disposed  to  quit  the  church  so  soon. 
An  air  of  expectation  appeared,  also,  to  detain  most 
of  those  in  the  body  of  the  building.  A  monk,  to 
wards  whom  many  longing  eyes  had  been  cast, 
yielded  to  the  general  and  touching  appeal,  and 
quitting  his  stall,  one  of  high  honor,  he  took  the 
place  just  vacated  by  Father  Johan. 

This  movement  was  no  sooner  made,  than  the 
name  of  Father  Arnolph,  the  Prior,  or  the  imme 
diate  spiritual  governor  of  the  community,  was 
buzzed  among  the  people.  Emich  arose,  and,  ac 
companied  by  his  friends,  took  a  station  near  the 
pulpit,  while  the  dense  mass  of  uplifted  and  interest 
ed  faces,  that  filled  the  middle  aisle,  proclaimed  the 
interest  of  the  congregation.  There  was  that  in 
the  countenance  and  air  of  Father  Arnolph  to  justify 
this  plain  demonstration  of  sympathy.  His  eye  was 
mild  and  benevolent,  his  forehead  full,  placid,  and 
even,  and  the  whole  character  of  his  face  was  that 
of  winning  philanthropy.  To  the  influence  of  this 
general  and  benevolent  expression,  must  be  added 
evident  signs  of  discipline,  much  thought,  and  meek 
hope. 

The  spiritual  part  of  such  a  man  was  not  likely 
to  belie  the  exterior.  His  doctrine,  like  that  of  the 
divine  being  he  served,  was  charitable  and  full 
of  love.  Though  he  spoke  of  the  terrors  of  judg- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  155 

merit,  it  was  with  grief  rather  than  with  menace : 
and  it  was  when  dwelling  on  the  persuasive  and 
attractive  character  of  faith,  that  he  was  most 
earnest  and  eloquent.  Again  Emich  found  his  secret 
intentions  shaken,  and  his  frown  relaxed  to  gleam 
ings  of  sympathy  and  interest.  The  eye  of  the 
preacher  met  that  of  the  stern  baron,  and,  without 
making  an  alarming  change  of  manner,  he  continu 
ed,  as  it  were,  by  a  natural  course  of  thought — 
"  Such  is  the  church  in  its  purity,  my  hearers,  let 
the  errors,  the  passions,  or  the  designs  of  man  per 
vert  it  in  what  manner  they  may.  The  faith  I 
preach  is  of  God,  and  it  partakes  of  the  godlike 
qualities  of  his  divine  essence.  He  who  would  im- 
oute  the  sins  of  its  mistaken  performance  to  aught 
but  his  erring  creatures,  casts  odium  on  that  wnich 
is  instituted  for  his  own  good ;  and  he  who  would 
do  violence  to  its  altars,  lifts  a  hand  against  a  work 
of  omnipotence !" 

With  these  words  in  his  ears,  Emich  of  Harten- 
burg  turned  away,  and  passed  musingly  up  the 
church. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  Japhet,  I  cannot  answer  thee." 

BYRON. 

THE  Abbey  of  Limburg  owed  its  existence  and 
its  rich  endowments  chiefly  to  the  favor  of  an  em 
peror  of  Germany.  In  honor  of  this  great  patron, 
an  especial  altar,  and  a  gorgeous  and  elaborate 
tomb,  had  been  erected.  Similar  honors  had  been 
also  paid  to  the  Counts  of  Leiningen,  and  to  certain 
other  noble  families  of  the  vicinity.  These  several 
altars  were  in  black  marble,  relievdd  by  ornaments 


156  THE  HEIDEiNMAUEB. 

of  white,  and  the  tombs  were  decorated  with  such 
heraldic  devices  as  marked  the  particular  races  of 
the  different  individuals.  They  stood  apart  from 
those  already  described  in  the  principal  church,  in 
'.  sort  of  crypt,  or  semi-subterranean  chapel,  be 
neath  the  choir.  Thither  Count  Emich  held  his  way, 
when  he  quitted  the  column  against  which  he  had 
leaned,  while  listening  to  the  sermon  of  Father  Ar- 
nolph. 

The  light  of  the  upper  church  had  that  soft  and 
melancholy  tint,  which  is  so  peculiar  and  so  orna 
mental  to  a  Gothic  edifice.  It  entered  through  high, 
narrow  windows  of  painted  glass,  coloring  all  within 
with  a  hue  that  it  was  not  difficult  for  the  imagina 
tion  to  conceive  had  some  secret  connexion  with  the 
holy  character  of  the  place.  The  depth  and  the 
secluded  position  of  the  chapel  rendered  this  light 
still  more  gloomy  and  touching  in  the  crypt.  When 
the  Count  reached  the  pavement,  he  felt  its  influence 
deeply,  for  few  descended  into  that  solemn  and  hal 
lowed  vault  without  becoming  sensible  to  the  reli 
gious  awe  that  reigned  around.  Emich  crossed 
himself,  and,  as  he  passed  before  the  altar  reared  by 
his  race,  he  bent  a  knee  to  the  mild  and  lovely  fe 
male  countenance  that  was  there  to  represent  the 
Mother  of  Christ.  He  thought  himself  alone,  and 
he  uttered  a  prayer ;  for,  though  Emich  of  Lein- 
ingen  was  a  man  that  rarely  communed  seriously 
with  God,  when  exposed  to  worldly  and  deriding 
eyes,  he  had  in  his  heart  deep  reverence  for  his 
power.  As  he  arose,  a  movement  at  his  elbow  at 
tracted  a  look  aside. 

"Ha!— Thou  here,  Herr  Priori"  he  exclaimed 
suppressing  as  much  of  his  surprise  as  self-corn- 
mand  enabled  him  to  do  with  success  ;,  "  Thou  art 
swift  in  thy  passage  from  the  stall  to  the  pulpit,  and 
swifter  from  the  pulpit  to  the  chapel !" 

"We  that  are  vowed  to  lives  of  monkish  devo- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  157 

tion,  need  to  be  often  at  all.     Thou  wert  kneeling, 
Enrich,  before  the  altar  of  thy  race  ?" 

"  By  St.  Benedict,  thy  patron !  but  thou  hast,  in 
good  sooth,  found  me  in  some  such  act,  holy  father. 
A  weakness  came  over  me,  on  entering  into  this 
gloomy  place,  and  I  would  fain  do  reverence  to  the 
spirits  of  those  who  have  gone  before  me." 

"  Callest  thou  the  desire  to  pray  a  weakness  1  At 
what  shrine  could  one  of  thy  name  worship  more 
fittingly  than  at  this,  which  has  been  reared  and 
enriched  by  the  devout  of  his  own  kindred ;  or  in 
what  better  mood  canst  thou  look  into  thyself,  and 
call  upon  divine  aid,  than  in  that  thou  hast  men 
tioned  ?" 

"  Herr  Prior,  thou  overlookest  the  occasion  of  my 
visit,  which  is  to  hear  the  Abbey  mass,  and  not  to 
confess  and  be  shrived." 

"  It  is  long  since  thou  hast  had  the  benefit  of  these 
sacred  offices,  Enrich  I" 

"  Thou  hast  done  well  in  thy  way,  father,  at  the 
desk;  and  I  question  not  that  the  burghers  of 
Deurckheim  and  their  gossips  will  do  thee  credit  in 
their  private  discourses.  Thy  fame  as  a  preacher 
is  not  of  mean  degree  even  now,  and  this  effort  of 
to-day  would  well-nigh  gain  thee  a  bishopric,  were 
the  women  of  our  valley  in  the  way  of  moving 
Rome.  How  fareth  it  with  the  most  holy  Abbot 
this  morning,  and  with  those  two  pillars  of  the  com 
munity,  the  Fathers  Siegfried  and  Cuno  ?" 

"  Thou  sawest  them  in  their  places  at  the  most 
holy  mass." 

"  'Fore  heaven !  but  they  are  worthy  companions ! 
Believe  me,  father,  more  honest  boon  associates  do 
not  dwell  in  our  rnerry  Palatinate,  nor  men  that  I 
love  in  a  better  fashion,  according  to  their  merits ' 
Did'st  hear,  reverend  Prior,  of  their  visit  to  Harten- 
burg,  and  of  their  deeds  in  the  flesh  ?" 

"The  humor  of  thy  mind   is   quickly  changed 
O 


158  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Herr  Count,  and  pity  'tis  'twere  thus.  I  came  not 
here  to  listen  to  tales  of  excesses  in  thy  hold,  nor  of 
any  forgetfulness  of  those,  who  having  sworn  to 
better  things,  have  betrayed  that  they  are  merely 
men. 

"Ay,  and  stout  men,  if  any  such  dwell  in  the 
empire  !  I  prize  my  good  name  as  another,  or  I 
would  tell  thee  the  number  of  vessels  that  my 
keeper  of  the  cellar  sweareth  are  no  better  than  so 
many  men-at-arms  fallen  in  a  rally  or  an  onset." 

"  This  love  of  wine  is  the  curse  of  our  region  and 
of  the  times.  I  would  that  none  of  the  treacherous 
liquor  should  again  enter  the  gates  of  Limburg !" 

"  God's  justice  !  reverend  Prior,  thou  wilt  in 
sooth  find  some  decrease  of  quantity  in  future,"  re 
turned  Emich,  laughing,  "  for  the  disputed  vineyards 
have  at  last  found  a  single,  and,  though  it  might 
better  come  from  thee,  as  one  that  hath  often  looked 
into  my  interior,  as  it  were,  by  confession,  a  worthy 
master.  I  pledge  thee  the  honor  of  a  noble,  that 
not  a  flask  of  that  which  thou  so  contemnest  shall 
ever  again  do  violence  to  thy  taste." 

The  Count  cast  a  triumphant  glance  at  the  monk, 
in  the  expectation,  and  possibly  in  the  hope,  that, 
notwithstanding  his  professions  of  moderation,  some 
lurking  signs  of  regret  might  betray  themselves  at 
this  announcement  of  the  convent's  loss.  But  Fa 
ther  Arnolph  was  what  he  seemed,  a  man  devoted 
to  the  holy  office  he  had  assumed,  and  one  but  little 
influenced  by  worldly  interests. 

"  I  understand  thee,  Emich,"  he  said  mildly,  but 
unmoved.  "  This  scandal  was  not  wanting  at  such 
a  moment,  to  bring  obloquy  upon  a  reverend  and 
holy  church,  against  which  its  enemies  have  been 
permitted  to  make  rude  warfare,  for  reasons  that 
are  concealed  in  the  inscrutable  mysteries  of  him 
who  founded  it." 

"  Thou  speakest  in  reason,  monk,  for,  to  say  truth, 


THE  HEIDENMAUE&  159 

yon  fellow  of  Saxony,  and  his  followers,  who  are 
any  thing  but  few  or  weak,  begin  to  move  many  in 
this  quarter  to  doubts  and  disobedience.  Thou  must 
most  stoutly  hate  this  brother  Luther  in  thy  heart, 
father !" 

For  the  first  time  that  day,  the  countenance  of 
the  Prior  lost  its  even  expression  of  benevolence. 
But  the  change  was  so  imperceptible  to  a  vulgar 
eye,  as  to  escape  the  scrutiny  of  the  Count ;  and  the 
feeling,  a  lingering  remnant  of  humanity,  was 
quickly  mastered  by  one  so  accustomed  to  hold  the 
passions  in  subjection. 

"  The  name  of  the  schismatic  hath  troubled  me  !" 
returned  the  Prior,  smiling  mournfully  at  the  con 
sciousness  of  his  own  weakness ;  "  I  hope  it  has 
not  been  with  a  feeling  of  personal  dislike.  He 
stands  on  a  frightful  precipice,  and  from  my  soul  do 
I  pray,  that  not  only  he,  but  all  the  deluded  that  fol 
low  in  his  dangerous  track,  may  see  their  peril  in 
time  to  retire  unharmed  !" 

"  Father,  thou  speakest  like  one  that  wishest  good 
to  the  Saxon  rather  than  harm  !" 

"  I  think  I  may  say,  the  words  do  not  belie  the 
thoughts." 

"  Nay,  thou  forgettest  the  damnable  heresies  he 
practiseth,  and  overlooketh  his  motive  !  Surely  one 
that  can  thus  sell  soul  and  body  for  love  of  a  wanton 
nun,  hath  little  claim  to  thy  charity !" 

There  was  a  slight  glow  on  the  temples  of  Father 
Arnolph. 

"  They  have  attributed  to  him  this  craven  pas 
sion,"  he  answered,  "  and  they  have  tried  to  prove, 
;hat  a  mean  wish  to  partake  of- the  pleasures  of  the 
world,  lies  at  the  bottom  of  his  rebellion  ;  but  I  be 
lieve  it  not,  and  I  say  it  not." 

"  God's  truth  !  thou  art  worthy  of  thy  holy  office, 
Herr  Prior,  and  I  honor  thy  moderation.  Were  there 
more  like  thee  among  us,  we  should  have  a  better 


100  THE  HEIDENMAUEU. 

neighborhood,  and  less  meddling  with  the  concerns 
of  others.  With  thee,  I  see  myself  no  such  neces 
sity  of  his  openly  wiving  the  nun,  for  it  is  very  pos 
sible  to  enjoy  the  gifts  of  life  even  under  a  cowl, 
should  it  be  our  fortune  to  wear  it." 

The  monk  made  no  answer,  for  he  perceived  he 
had  to  do  with  one  unequal  to  understanding  his  own 
character. 

"  Of  this  we  wLl  say  no  more,"  he  rejoined,  after 
a  brief  and  painful  pause ;  "  let  us  look  rather  to 
thine  own  welfare.  It  is  said,  Count  Emich,  that 
thou  meditatest  evil  to  this  holy  shrine ;  that  am 
bition,  and  the  longings  of  cupidity,  have  tempted 
thee  to  plot  our  abbey's  fall,  in  order  that  none  may 
stand  between  thine  own  baronial  power  and  the 
throne  of  the  Elector  !" 

"  Thou  art  less  unwilling  to  form  unkind  opinions 
of  thy  nearest  neighbor,  than  of  that  mortal  enemy 
of  the  Church,  Luther,  it  would  appear,  Herr  Prior. 
What  hast  thou  seen  in  me,  that  can  embolden  one 
of  thy  charity  to  hazard  this  accusation  ?" 

"  I  do  but  hazard  what  all  in  our  convent  think 
and  dread.  Hast  thou  reflected  well,  Emich,  of  this 
sacrilegious  enterprise,  and  of  what  may  be  its 
fruits  ?  Dost  thou  recall  the  objects  for  which 
these  holy  altars  were  reared,  or  the  hand  that  laid 
the  corner-stone  of  the  edifice  thou  wouldst  so  pro 
fanely  overthrow  ?" 

"  Look  you,  good  Father  Arnolph,  there  are  two 
manners  of  riewing  the  erection  of  thy  convent, 
and  more  especially  of  this  identical  church  in 
which  we  stand.  One  of  our  traditions  sayeth  that 
the  arch-knave  himself  had  his  trowel  in  thy  ma 
sonry." 

"  Thou  art  of  too  high  lineage,  of  blood  too  no« 
ble,  and  of  intelligence  too  ripe,  to  credit  the  tale." 

"  These  are  points  in  which  I  pretend  not  to  dip 
too  deeply.  I  am  no  scholar  of  Prague  or  Witten- 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  161 

berg,  that  thou  shouldst  put  these  questions  so 
closely  to  me.  It  were  well  that  the  brotherhood 
had  bethought  itself  of  this  imputation  in  season, 
that  the  question  might  have  been  settled,  for  or 
against,  as  justice  needed,  when  the  learned  and 
great  among  our  fathers  were  met  at  Constance,  in 
grave  and  general  council." 

Father  Arnolph  regarded  his  companion  in  se 
rious  concern.  He  too  well  knew  the  deplorable 
ignorance,  and  the  consequent  superstition,  in  which 
even  the  great  of  his  time  were  involved,  to  mani 
fest  surprise ;  but  he  also  knew  the  power  the  other 
wielded  sufficiently  to  foresee  the  evils  of  such  a 
union  between  force  and  ignorance.  Still  it  was 
not  his  present  object  to  combat  opinions  that  were 
only  to  be  removed  by  time  and  study,  if  indeed 
they  can  ever  be  eradicated,  when  fairly  rooted  in 
the  human  mind.  He  pursued  his  immediate  de 
sign,  therefore,  avoiding  a  discussion,  which,  at  that 
moment,  might  prove  worse  than  useless. 

"  That  the  finger  of  evil  mingles  more  or  less 
with  all  things  that  come  of  human  agency,  may  be 
true,"  he  continued,  taking  care  that  the  expression 
of  his  eye  should  neither  awaken  the  pride,  nor 
arouse  the  obstinacy  of  the  noble — "  but  when  altars 
have  been  reared,  and  when  the  worship  of  the 
Most  High  God  hath  continued  for  ages,  we  have 
reason  to  hope  that  his  holy  spirit  presideth  in  ma 
jesty  and  love  around  the  shrines.  Such  hath  been 
the  case  with  Limburg,  Count  Emich :  and  doubt  it 
not,  we  who  stand  here,  holding  this  discourse, 
stand  also  in  the  immediate  presence  of  that  dread 
Being  who  created  heaven  and  earth,  who  guideth 
our  lives,  and  who  will  judge  us  in  death !" 

"  God  help  us,  Herr  Prior !  Thou  hast  already 
done  thy  office  in  the  desk  this  day,  and  I  see  no 
occasion  that  thou  shouldst  doubly  perform  a  func 
tion,  that  was  so  well  acquitted  at  first.  I  like  not 
02 


162  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  manner  of  being  ushered,  as  it  were  unan 
nounced,  into  so  dread  a  presence  as  this  thou  hast 
just  proclaimed.  Were  it  but  the  Elector  Friedrich, 
Emich  of  Leiningen  could  not  presume  to  this  famil 
iarity,  without  some  consultation  as  to  its  fitness." 

"  In  the  eyes  of  the  Being  we  mean,  Electors  and 
Emperors  are  equally  indifferent.  He  loveth  the 
meek,  and  the  merciful,  and  the  just,  while  he 
scourgeth  them  that  deny  his  authority.  But  thou 
hast  named  thy  feudal  prince,  and  I  will  question 
thee  in  a  manner  suited  to  thy  habits.  Thou  art,  in 
truth,  Emich  of  Leiningen,  a  noble  of  name  in  the 
Palatinate,  and  one  known  to  be  of  long-established 
authority  in  these  regions.  Still  art  thou  second, 
or  even  third,  in  worldly  command,  in  this  thy  very 
country.  The  Elector  and  the  Emperor  both  hold 
thee  in  check,  and  either  is  strong  enough  to 
destroy  thee  at  pleasure,  in  thy  vaunted  hold  of 
Hartenburg." 

"  To  the  last  I  yield  the  means,  if  thou  wilt,  worthy 
Prior" — interrupted  the  Count — "but  for  the  first, 
he  must  needs  dispose  of  his  own  pressing  enemies, 
before  he  achieves  this  victory!" 

Father  Arnolph  understood  the  other's  meaning, 
for  it  was  no  secret  that  Friedrich  was,  just  then,  so 
pressed  as  to  sit  on  a  tottering  throne ;  a  circum 
stance  that  was  known  to  have  encouraged  the  long 
meditated  designs  of  the  Count  of  Hartenburg  to  get 
rid  of  a  community,  that  thwarted  his  views,  and 
diminished  his  local  authority. 

"  Forgetting  the  Elector,  we  will  turn  only  to  the 
Emperor,  then,"  rejoined  the  Prior.  "Thou  be- 
lievest  him  to  be  in  his  palace,  and  remote  from  thy 
country,  and  certainly  he  hath  here  no  visible  force 
to  restrain  thy  rebellious  hand.  "We  will  imagine 
that  a  family  he  protected — nay,  that  he  loved — 
stood  in  the  way  of  some  of  thy  greedy  projects,  and 
that  the  tempter  had  persuaded  thee  it  would  be  well 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  163 

to  remove  it,  or  to  destroy  with  the  strong  hand. 
Art  thou  weak  enough,  Count  Emich,  to  listen  to 
such  advice,  when  thou  knowest  that  the  arm  of 
Charles  is  long  enough  to  reach  from  his  distant 
Madrid  to  the  most  remote  corner  of  Germany,  and 
that  his  vengeance  would  be  as  sure  as  it  would  be 
fearful  r 

"  It  would  be  a  bold  warfare,  Herr  Prior,  that  of 
Emich  of  Leiningen  against  Charles  Quintus  !  Left 
to  mine  own  humor,  holy  monk,  I  would  rather 
choose  another  enemy." 

"And  yet  thou  wouldst  war  with  one  mightier 
than  he  !  Thou  raisest  thy  impotent  arm,  and  thy 
audacious  will,  against  thy  God  !  Thou  wouldst 
despise  his  promises,  profane  his  altars,  nay,  thou 
wouldst  fain  throw  down  the  tabernacle  that  he  hath 
reared  !  Dost  thou  think  that  omnipotence  will  be  a 
nerveless  witness  of  this  sin ;  or  that  an  eternal 
and  benign  wisdom  will  forget  to  punish  ?" 

"  By  St.  Paul !  thou  puttest  the  matter  altogether 
in  thine  own  interest,  Father  Arnolph,  for  there  is 
yet  no  proof  that  this  Abbey  of  Limburg  hath  any 
such  origin,  or,  if  it  had,  that  it  hath  not  fallen  into 
disfavor,  by  the  excesses  of  its  own  professed. 
'Twere  well  to  send  for  the  right  reverend  Abbot, 
and  those  pillars  of  sanctity  the  Fathers  Cuno  and 
Siegfried,  to  bear  witness  in  thy  behalf.  God's 
wisdom !  I  reason  better  with  those  worthies,  in 
such  a  matter,  than  with  thee  !" 

Emich  laughed,  the  sound  echoing  in  that  vaulted 
chapel  to  the  ears  of  the  monk,  like  the  scoffing  of  a 
demon.  Still,  the  natural  equity  of  Father  Arnolph 
told  him  that  there  was  too  much  to  justify  the 
taunt  of  the  noble,  for  he  had  long  and  bitterly 
mourned  the  depravity  of  many  of  the  brotherhood. 

"  I  am  not  here  to  sit  in  judgment  on  those  who 
err,  but  to  defend  the  shrines  at  which  I  worship, 
and  to  warn  thee  from  a  fatal  sin.  If  thy  hand  is 


164  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

ever  lifted  against  these  walls,  it  is  raised  against 
that  which  God  hath  blessed,  and  which  God  will 
avenge.  But  thou  art  of  human  feeling,  Emich  of 
Hartenburg;  and  though,  doubting  of  the  sacred 
character  of  that  which  thou  wouldst  fain  destroy, 
thou  canst  not  deceive  thyself  concerning  these 
tombs — In  this  holy  chapel  have  prayers  been  often 
raised,  and  masses  said,  for  the  souls  of  thine  own 
line  !" 

The  Count  of  Leiningen  looked  steadily  3t  the 
speaker.  Father  Arnolph  had  placed  himself,  with 
out  design,  near  the  opening  which  communicated 
between  that  sombre  chapel  and  the  superior  church. 
Rays  of  bright  light  shot  through  the  eastern  win 
dow,  and  fell  upon  the  pavement  at  his  feet,  throw 
ing  around  his  form  the  mild  and  solemn  lustre 
which  comes  from  the  stained  glass  of  the  Gothic 
ages.  The  services  of  the  morning  had  also  spread 
throughout  the  entire  building,  that  soothing  atmo 
sphere  which  is  usually  the  attendant  of  Roman 
worship.  The  incense  had  penetrated  to  the  crypt, 
and  unconsciously  the  warlike  noble  had  felt  its  in 
fluence  quieting  his  nerves  and  lulling  the  passions. 
All  who  have  entered  the  principal  Basilica  of  mod 
ern  Rome,  have  been  subject  to  a  combination  of 
moral  and  physical  causes  that  produce  the  result 
we  mean,  and  which,  though  more  striking  in  that 
vast  and  glorious  pile,  resembling  a  world  with 
attributes  and  an  atmosphere  of  its  own,  is  also  felt 
in  every  Catholic  temple  of  consequence  in  a  less 
ened  degree. 

"  Here  lie  my  fathers,  Arnolph,"  answered  the 
Count,  huskily;  "and  here,  as  thou  sayesi,  have 
masses  been  said  for  their  souls  !" 

"  And  thou  contemnest  their  graves — thou  wouldst 
violate  even  their  bones  !" 

"  'Twere  not  an  act  for  a  Christian !" 

"  Look  hither,  Count.     This  is  the  monument  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  165 

Jie  good  Emich,  thy  ancestor.  He  honored  his 
God,  and  did  not  scruple  to  worship  at  our  altars." 

"  Thou  knowest,  holy  Prior,  that  I  have  often 
bared  my  soul  at  thy  knees." 

"  Thou  hast  confessed,  and  hast  been  shrived ; 
that  thou  didst  not  lay  up  future  griefs " 

"  Say  rather  damnation" — interrupted  one  behind, 
whose  voice,  issuing  suddenly  from  that  sepulchral 
chapel,  seemed  to  come  from  the  tombs  themselves 
— "Thou  triflest,  reverend  Prior,  with  our  holy 
mission,  to  deal  thus  tenderly  with  so  sore  a  sinner." 

The  Count  of  Leiningen  had  started,  and  even 
^uailed,  at  the  first  words  of  interruption  ;  but  look 
ing  around,  he  beheld  the  receding  front,  the  sunken 
eye,  and  the  bending  person  of  Father  Johan." 

"  Monks,  I  leave  you,"  said  Emich,  firmly.  "  It 
is  good  for  ye  to  pray,  and  to  frequent  these  gloomy 
altars ;  but  I,  who  am  a  soldier,  cannot  waste  fur 
ther  time  in  your  vaults.  Herr  Prior,  farewell. 
Thou  hast  a  guardian  that  will  protect  the  good." 

Before  the  Prior  could  recover  his  voice,  for  he 
too  had  been  taken  by  surprise,  the  Count  stalked, 
with  a  heavy  footstep,  up  the  marble  stairs,  and  the 
tread  of  his  armed  heel  was  soon  heard  on  the  flags 
above. 


166  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTER  X. 

"The  way  is  but  short ;  away — " 

Armado. 

WHILE  all  must  be  conscious  of  the  fearful  .'n- 
firmities  that  beset  human  nature,  there  are  none  so 
base  as  not  to  know  that  their  being  contains  the 
seeds  of  that  godlike  principle  which  still  likens 
them  to  their  divine  Creator.  Virtue  commands 
the  respect  of  man,  in  whatever  accidental  stage  of 
civilization,  or  of  mental  improvement,  he  may  hap 
pen  to  exist ;  and  he  who  practises  its  precepts  is 
certain  of  the  respect,  though  he  may  not  always 
secure  the  protection,  of  his  contemporaries. 

As  the  Count  of  Leiningen  walked  down  the  rich 
and  vast  aisle  of  the  Abbey-church,  his  thoughts 
vacillated  between  the  impressions  produced  by  the 
Prior,  and  his  latent,  but  still  predominant,  inten 
tions.  He  might  have  been  likened  to  one  who 
listened  to  the  councils  of  a  good  and  of  an  evil 
genius ;  that  exhorting  to  forbearance  and  mercy, 
and  this  tempting  to  violence  by  the  usual  array  of 
flattery  and  hopes.  While  he  brooded  over  the 
exactions  of  the  community,  which  were  founded 
on  a  legal  superiority  that  was  alike  hurtful  to  his 
power  and  galling  to  his  pride,  its  manner  of  thwart 
ing  his  views,  and  its  constant  opposition  to  his  su 
premacy  in  the  valley,  motives  of  enmity  that  were 
justly  heightened  by  the  dissolute  and  audacious 
deportment  of  too  many  of  its  members,  the  effect 
of  all  was  secretly  opposed  by  the  image  of  Father 
Arnolph,  surrounded  by  the  mild  and  noble  charac 
teristics  of  Christian  virtue.  Emich  could  not, 
though  he  fain  would,  chase  from  his  imagination 
the  impression  of  meekness,  charity,  and  of  self- 
denial,  that  a  long  acquaintance  with  the  monk  had 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  167 

made,  and  which  the  recent  interviaw  had  served 
both  to  freshen  and  to  render  more  deep.  But  a 
spectacle  was  prepared  to  meet  his  eyes  in  the 
court  of  the  convent,  that  did  as  much  towards 
weakening  this  happy  influence  of  the  Prior,  by  set- 
ting  the  pride  of  the  noble  in  opposition  to  his  better 
feelings,  as  could  have  been  wished  by  the  bitterest 
enemy  of  Limburg. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  outer  wall  of  the  Abbey 
encircled  the  entire  brow  of  the  hill,  or  mountain, 
on  which  the  convent  stood.  Though  the  buildings 
were  spacious  and  numerous,  the  size  of  the  little 
plain  on  the  summit  left  ample  space  for  exercise 
and  air.  Besides  the  cloisters,  which  were  vast, 
though  possessing  the  character  of  monkish  seclu 
sion,  there  were  gardens  in  the  rear  of  the  Abbot's 
abode,  and  a  court  of  considerable  extent,  imme 
diately  in  front  of  the  church.  Athwart  this  court, 
in  which  sundry  groups  of  the  late  congregation  yet 
lingered,  was  drawn  up,  in  military  order,  a  band 
of  soldiers,  wearing  the  colors,  and  acknowledging 
the  a  uthority,  of  the  Elector  Friedrich.  The  secret 
signal  given  by  Father  Bonifacius,  when  the  Count 
entered  the  choir,  had  prepared  this  unwelcome 
sight  for  his  neighbor. 

While  the  men-at-arms  leaned  on  their  arque 
buses,  in  grave  attention  to  discipline,  the  Knight 
of  Rhodes  and  the  Abbe  were  occupied  in  paying 
their  court  to  the  fair  wife  of  the  Burgomaster  of 
Deurckheim,  and  to  her  scarce  fairer  daughter. 
Young  Berchthold  stood  aloof;  watching  the  inter 
view  with  feelings  allied  equally  to  envy  and  jeal 
ousy. 

"  A  fair  morning  and  a  comfortable  mass  to  you, 
high-born  Emich !"  cried  the  husband  and  father 
heartily,  but  lifting  his  cap,  as  the  noble  approached 
the  spot  where  the  burgher  stood,  waiting  for  this 
meeting  ere  he  put  foot  into  the  stirrup;  "I  had 


166  TH  £  HEIDENMAUER. 

thought  the  sight  of  your  fathers'  altar  was  like  to 
cheat  me  of  this  honor,  and  to  send  me  away  with 
out  a  word  from  your  friendly  and  much-prized 
grace." 

"  Between  thee  and  me,  Heinrich,  this  slight 
could  not  happen,"  answered  the  Count,  grasping 
the  hand  of  the  Burgomaster,  which  he  squeezed 
with  the  cordiality  and  vigor  of  a  soldier.  "  How 
fareth  it  with  all  in  Deurckheim,  that  town  of  my 
affection,  not  to  say  of  my  right  ?" 

"  As  you  could  wish,  noble  Count,  and  well-dis 
posed  to  the  house  of  Leiningen.  In  all  that  per- 
taineth  to  love  of  your  name  and  race,  we  lack 
nothing." 

"  This  is  well,  honest  Heinrich ;  it  may  yet  be 
better — But  thou  wilt  do  me  grace  this  summer 
morning  ?" 

"  Nay,  it  is  for  your  grace  to  command  in  this 
particular,  and  for  one  like  me  to  obey." 

"  Herr  Heinrich,  hast  looked,  well  at  these 
knaves  of  Friedrich  1  Ha  !  are  they  not  melan 
choly  and  ill-disposed  at  being  cooped  with  Bene 
dictines,  when  there  are  stirring  times  in  the  Palati 
nate,  and  when  their  master  hath  as  much  as  he 
can  do  to  hold  his  court  in  Heidelberg  !  Seest  thou 
aught  of  this  ?" 

Emich  had  dropped  his  voice,  and  the  burgher 
was  not  a  man  to  express  more  in  answer,  than  the 
circumstances  actually  required.  He  looked  elo 
quently,  however,  and  the  exchange  of  glances  be 
tween  him  and  the  Count  betrayed  the  nature  of  the 
understanding  that  connected  the  castle  and  the  city. 

"  You  spoke  of  commanding  my  duty,  mein  Herr 
Graf,  and  it  is  fitting  I  should  know  in  what  manner 
to  do  you  pleasure." 

"  Nay,  'tis  no  pain-giving  penance  I  ask.  Turn 
tny  horse's  head  towards  Hartenburg,  and  share  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  160 

my  poor  fare,  with  a  loving  welcome,  for  an  hour 
or  so." 

"I  would  it  were  within  compass,  my  Lord 
Count,"  returned  Heinrich,  casting  a  doubting  look 
towards  Meta  and  his  wife — "but  these  Sunday 
masses  are  matters  in  which  the  women  love  to 
deal ;  and  from  the  first  sound  of  the  matin  bell,  till 
we  shut  the  gates  at  even,  I  scarce  call  myself  mas 
ter  of  a  thought." 

"  By  the  Virgin !  'Twould  seem  ill  indeed,  did 
not  Hartenburg  contain  a  roof  to  shelter  all  of  thy 
name  and  love-" 

"  There  are  noble  gentlemen  already  on  your  hos 
pitality,  and  I  would  not  fain -" 

"  Name  them  not  This  in  the  gay  doublet,  that 
weareth  the  white  cross,  is  but  a  houseless  Knight 
of  Rhodes,  one  that  wandereth  like  the  dove  from 
the  ark,  uncertain  where  to  place  his  foot ;  and  he 
of  black  vestments,  an  idle  Abbe  from  among  the 
French,  who  doth  little  else  but  prate  with  the 
women.  Leave  thy  female  gender  in  their  hands, 
for  they  are  much  accustomed  to  these  gallantries." 

"  Zum  Henker  !  most  nobly  born  eccellenz,  I 
never  doubted  their  handiness  in  all  idlenesses  ;  but 
my  wife  hath  little  humor  for  vain  attentions  of  this 
nature,  and  not  to  conceal  from  my  lord  any  of  our 
humors,  I  will  confess  it  is  as  little  to  my  pleasure 
to  witness  so  much  ceremony  with  a  woman. 
Were  the  well-born  Ermengarde,  your  noble  con 
sort,  in  the  castle,  my  female  charge  might  be  glad 
to  pay  their  court  to  her,  but  in  her  absence  I  doubt 
that  they  will  cause  more  encumbrance  than  they 
will  afford  satisfaction." 

"  Name  it  not,  honest  Heinrich,  but  leave  the 
matter  to  me.  As  for  these  idlers,  I  will  find  them 
occupation,  when  fairly  out  of  the  saddle  ;  so  will  I 
not  excuse  the  youngest  of  thy  name." 

warm,  frank  manner  of  the  noble  prevailed, 
P 


170  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

though  the  arrangement  was  not  altogether  agreea 
ble  to  the  Burgomaster ;  but  in  that  age  hospitality 
was  always  of  so  direct  a  character  as  seldom  to 
admit  denial  without  sufficient  excuse.  Emich  now 
paid  his  court  to  the  females.  Smoothing  his  mous 
tache  and  beard,  he  saluted  the  cheeks  of  Ulricke, 
with  affectionate  freedom,  and  then,  presuming  on 
his  years  and  rank,  he  pressed  a  kiss  on  the  ruby 
lips  of  Meta.  The  girl  blushed  and  laughed,  and  in 
her  confusion  curtesied,  as  if  in  acknowledgment  of 
the  grace  from  one  of  so  high  quality.  Heinrich 
himself,  though  he  so  little  liked  the  coquetry  of  the 
strangers,  witnessed  these  liberties  not  only  without 
alarm  but  with  evident  contentment. 

"  Many  thanks,  noble  Emich,  for  this  honor  to  my 
women,"  he  cried,  lifting  his  bonnet  again.  "  Meta 
is  not  used  to  these  compliments,  and  she  scarce 
knoweth  rightly  how  to  acknowledge  the  grace,  for 
to  say  truth,  it  is  not  often  that  her  cheek  feeleth  the 
tickling  of  a  beard.  I  am  no  saluter  of  her  sex,  and 
there  are  none  in  Deurckheim  that  may  so  presume." 

"  St.  Denis  defend  me !"  exclaimed  the  Abbe  ;  "  in 
what  shameful  negligence  have  we  fallen !"  saluting 
the  mild  Ulricke  on  the  instant,  and  repeating  the 
same  ceremony  with  the  daughter,  so  suddenly,  as 
to  leave  none  present  time  to  recover  from  their 
surprise.  "  Sir  Knight  of  Rhodes,  we  appear  in 
this  affair  as  but  of  indifferent  breeding  !" 

"  Hold,  cousin  of  Viederbach,"  said  Emich,  laugh 
ing,  while  he  placed  a  hand  before  his  kinsman — 
"  We  forget,  all  this  time,  that  we  are  in  the  court 
of  Limburg,  and  that  salutations  which  savor  so 
much  of  earth  may  scandalize  the  holy  Benedictines. 
We  will  to  horse,  and  keep  our  gallantries  for  a 
better  season." 

The  forward,  impatient  movement  of  young 
Berchthold  was  self-checked,  and,  swallowing  his 
discontent,  he  turned  aside  to  conceal  his  vexation. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  171 

In  the  mean  time,  the  whole  party  prepared  to 
mount.  Although  repulsed  in  his  effort  to  obtain  a 
salute  from  the  fair  girl,  who  had  so  passively  re 
ceived  these  liberties  from  his  kinsman  and  the 
Abbe,  the  Knight  of  Rhodes  busied  himself  in  assist 
ing  the  damsel  upon  the  crupper  of  her  father's  sad 
dle.  A  similar  office  was  performed  for  Ulricke  by 
the  Count  of  Leiningen  himself,  and  then  the  noble 
threw  his  own  booted  and  heavy  leg  across  the 
large  and  strong-jointed  war-horse  that  was  pawing 
the  pavement  of  the  court.  The  others  imitated  his 
example,  even  to  the  mounted  servitors,  who  were 
numerous;  when,  doing  stately  reverence  to  the 
large  crucifix  that  stood  before  them,  the  whole 
cavalcade  ambled  from  the  court. 

There  were  many  curious  spectators  around  the 
outer  gate,  among  whom  were  sundry  of  the  more 
humble  dependants  of  Hartenburg,  purposely  col 
lected  there,  by  an  order  of  their  lord,  in  the  event 
of  any  sudden  violence  arising  from  his  visit  to  the 
Abbey,  together  with  a  crowd  of  mendicants. 

"  Alms,  great  Emich  !  Alms,  worthy  and  wealthy 
Burgomaster  !  God's  blessing  on  ye  both,  and  holy 
St.  Benedict  heed  ye  in  his  prayers !  We  are  a- 
hungred  and  a-cold,  and  we  crave  alms  at  your 
honorable  hands  !" 

"  Give  the  rogues  a  silver  pence,"  said  the  Count 
to  the  purse-bearer,  who  rode  in  his  train — "  They 
have  a  starving  look,  in  sooth.  These  godly  Bene 
dictines  have,  of  late,  been  so  busied  between  their 
garrison  and  their  masses,  that  they  have  forgotten 
to  feed  their  poor.  Come  nearer,  friend ;  art  of 
the  Jaegerthal  ?" 

"  No,  noble  Count.  I  come  from  a  pilgrimage  to 
a  distant  shrine,  but  want  and  suffering  have  befallen 
me  by  the  way." 

"Hast  pressed  the  monks  for  charity?  or  dost 


172  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

thou  find  them  toe  much  engaged  in  godliness  to 
remember  human  suffering  ?" 

"  Great  Count,  they  give  freely ;  but  where  there 
are  many  mouths  to  feed,  there  needs  be  much  gold. 
I  say  naught  against  the  holy  community  of  Lim- 
burg,  which  is  godly  in  charity,  as  in  grace." 

"  Give  the  knave  a  kreutzer  ;"  growled  Heinrich 
Frey ;  •'  hast  thou  aught  to  show  in  the  way  of  au 
thority  for  undertaking  this  pilgrimage,  and  for 
assailing  the  Elector's  subjects  and  servitors  in  a 
public  horse-path  ?" 

"  Naught  but  this,  illustrious  Burgomaster," — 
Heinrich  wore  his  chain  of  office — "  naught  but  the 
commands  of  my  confessor,  and  this  pass  of  our 
own  chief  men." 

"  Callest  this  naught  ?  Thou  speakest  of  a  legal 
instrument  of  high  quality,  an'  it  were  but  a  copy 
of  silly  rhymes  !  Hold  !  thou  must  not  be  led  into 
temptation  by  too  much  want.  Meta,  wench,  hast 
a  kreutzer  ?" 

"  Here  is  a  silver  pence,  that  may  better  suit  the 
pilgrim's  necessities,  father." 

"  God  keep  thee,  child  !  Dost  expect  to  escape 
want  thyself,  with  such  prodigality  1  But  stay — 
there  are  many  of  them,  and  the  piece  justly  distrib 
uted  might  do  good.  Come  nearer,  friends.  Here 
is  a  silver  zwanziger,  which  you  will  divide  honestly 
into  twenty  parts,  of  which  two  are  for  the  stran 
ger,  for  to  him  are  we  most  indebted  by  the  com 
mands  of  God,  and  one  for  each  inhabitant  of  the 
valley,  not  forgetting  the  poor  woman  that,  in  your 
haste,  and  by  reason  of  her  years,  you  have  pre 
vented  from  drawing  near.  For  this  boon,  I  ask 
prayers  of  you  in  behalf  of  the  Elector,  the  city  of 
Deurckheim,  and  the  family  of  Frey." 

So  saying,  the  Burgomaster  pushed  ahead,  and 
was  soon  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  of  Limburg. 
The  train  of  footmen,  who  had  lingered  to  witness 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  11 

the  largess  of  the  magistrate,  and  who  had  consid 
ered  the  indifference  of  Emich  as  what  was  no 
more  than  natural  in  one,  placed  by  Providence  in  a 
situation  so  far  removed  from  vulgar  wants,  was 
about  to  follow,  when  a  lay-brother  of  the  convent 
touched  one  of  the  party  on  the  arm,  signing  for 
him  to  re-enter  the  court. 

"  Thou  art  needed  further,  friend,"  whispered  the 
lay-brother.  "Amuse  thyself  with  these  men-at- 
arms  till  they  retire  ;  then  seek  the  cloisters." 

A  nod  sufficed  to  tell  the  lay-brother  that  he  was 
understood,  and  he  immediately  disappeared.  The 
follower  of  Count  Emich  did  as  commanded,  loiter 
ing  in  the  court  until  the  object  of  the  Abbot  was 
accomplished,  that  of  exhibiting  the  protection  of 
the  Elector  to  his  dangerous  neighbor,  and  the 
arquebusiers  marched  to  their  quarters.  The  road 
was  no  sooner  clear,  than  the  peasant  who  had  been 
detained  proceeded  to  do  as  he  had  been  ordered. 

In  each  conventual  edifice  of  the  other  hemi 
sphere,  there  is  an  inner  court  surrounded  by  low 
and  contemplative  arcades,  called  the  cloisters. 
The  term,  which  is  given  to  the  seclusion  of  monas 
tic  life  in  general,  and  to  the  objects  of  the  institu 
tion  itself,  in  an  architectural  sense,  is  limited  to  the 
secluded  and  sombre  piazzas  just  mentioned.  When 
this  part  of  the  building  is  decorated,  as  often  hap 
pens,  with  the  elaborate  ornaments  of  the  Gothic 
style,  it  is  not  easy  to  conceive  a  situation  more 
happily  imagined  for  the  purposes  of  reflection,  self- 
examination,  and  religious  calm.  To  us  the  clois 
ters  have  ever  appeared  pregnant  with  the  poetry 
of  monkish  existence,  and,  Protestant  as  we  are,  we 
never  yet  entered  one  without  feeling  the  influence 
of  that  holy  and  omnipotent  power  that  is  thought 
to  be  propitiated  by  conventual  seclusion.  In  Italy, 
the  land  of  vivid  thought  and  of  glorious  realities,  the 
pencils  of  the  greatest  masters  have  been  put  in 
P2 


174  THE  HEIDENMAUER, 

requisition  to  give  the  cloisters  a  mild  attraction, 
blended  with  lessons  of  instruction,  that  are  in  strict 
consonance  with  their  uses.  Here  are  found  some 
of  the  finest  remains  of  Raphael,  of  Domenichino, 
and  of  Andrea  del  Sarto ;  and  the  traveller  now 
enters  vaulted  galleries,  that  the  monk  so  long  paced 
in  religious  hope  or  learned  abstraction,  to  visit  tho 
most  prized  relics  of  art. 

The  dependant  of  Count  Emich  had  no  difficulty 
in  finding  his  way  to  the  place  in  question,  for,  as 
usual,  there  was  a  direct  communication  between 
the  cloisters  of  Limburg  and  the  church.  By  en 
tering  the  latter,  and  taking  a  lateral  door,  which 
was  known  to  lead  to  the  sacristy,  he  found  himself 
beneath  the  arcades,  in  the  midst  of  the  touching 
seclusion  described.  Against  the  walls  were  tablets 
with  Latin  inscriptions,  in  honor  of  different  bro 
thers  who  had  been  distinguished  by  piety  and  know 
ledge  ;  and  here  and  there  was  visible,  in  ivory  or 
stone,  that  constant  monitor  of  Catholic  worship, 
the  crucifix. 

The  stranger  paused,  for  a  single  monk  paced 
the  arcades,  and  his  mien  was  not  inviting  for  one 
who  doubted  of  his  reception.  At  least  so  thought 
the  dependant  of  Emich,  who  might  easily  have 
mistaken  the  chastened  expression  of  Father  Ar- 
nolph's  features,  clouded  as  they  now  were  with 
care,  for  severity. 

"  What  wouldst  thou  ?"  demanded  the  Prior,  when 
a  turn  brought  him  face  to  face  with  the  intruder. 

"  Reverend  monk,  thy  much-prized  blessing." 

"Kneel,  and  receive  it,  son.  Thou  art  doubly 
blest ;  in  seeking  consolation  from  the  Church,  and 
in  avoiding  the  fatal  heresies  of  the  times." 

The  Prior  repeated  the  benediction,  made  the 
usual  sign  of  grace,  and  motioned  for  the  other  to 
rise. 

"  Wouldst  thou  aught  else  ?"  he  asked,  observing 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  175 

that  the  peasant  did  not  retire,  as  was  usual  for  those 
who  received  this  favour. 

"Naught — unless  yonder  brother  hath  occasion 
for  me." 

The  face  of  Siegfried  was  thrust  through  a  door 
which  led  to  the  cells.  The  countenance  of  the 
Prior  changed  like  that  of  one  who  had  lost  all  con 
fidence  in  the  intentions  of  his  companion,  and  he 
pursued  his  way  along  the  arcade.  The  other 
glided  past,  and  disappeared  by  the  door  which  he 
had  been  covertly  invited  to  enter. 

It  has  already  been  said  that  the  Benedictine  is  an 
order  of  hospitality.  A  principal  building  of  the  hill 
was  especially  devoted  to  the  comforts  of  the  Abbot, 
and  to  those  of  the  travellers  it  was  always  his  duty, 
and  in  the  case  of  Father  Bonifacius  scarcely  less 
often  his  pleasure,  to  entertain.  Here  were  seen 
some  signs  of  the  great  wealth  of  the  monastery, 
though  it  was  wealth  chastened  by  forms,  and  re 
stricted  by  opinion ;  still  there  was  little  of  self-denial, 
or  indeed  of  any  of  that  self-mortification  which  is 
commonly  thought  to  be  the  inseparable  attendant 
of  the  cell.  The  rooms  were  wainscoted  with  dark 
oak ;  emblems  of  religious  faith,  in  costly  materials, 
abounded;  nor  was  there  any  want  of  velvet  and 
other  stuffs,  all  however  of  sober  colours,  though  of 
intrinsic  value.  Father  Siegfried  ushered  the  peasant 
into  one  of  the  most  comfortable  of  these  rooms. 
It  was  the  cabinet  of  the  Abbot,  who,  having  thrown 
aside  the  robes  of  office  in  which  he  had  so  lately 
appeared  in  the  choir,  and,  ungirt  and  divested  of 
all  the  churchly  pomp  in  which  he  had  just  shown 
himself  to  the  people,  was  now  taking  his  ease, 
with  the  indolence  of  a  student,  and  with  some  of 
the  negligence  of  a  debauchee. 

"  Here  is  the  youth  I  have  named  to  you,  holy 
Abbot,"  sakl  Father  Siegfried,  motioning  his  com 
panion  to  advance. 


176  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

Bonifacius  laid  down  a  parchment-covered  and 
illuminated  volume,  one  but  lately  issued  from  the 
press,  rubbing  his  eyes  like  a  man  suddenly  roused 
from  a  dreamy  abstraction. 

"  Truly,  brother  Siegfried,  these  knaves  of  Leip 
zig  have  done  wonders  with  their  art !  Not  a  word 
can  I  find  astray,  or  a  thought  concealed.  God 
knows  to  what  pass  of  information  this  excess  of 
knowledge,  so  long  sacred  to  the  learned,  may  yet 
lead  us !  The  office  of  a  librarian  will  no  longer  be 
of  rare  advantages,  or  scarcely  of  repute." 

"  Have  we  not  proofs  of  the  evil,  in  the  growing 
infidelity,  and  in  the  manifest  insubordination  of  the 
times  ?" 

"  It  were  better  for  all  their  souls,  and  their  present 
repose,  that  fewer  did  the  thinking  in  this  trouble 
some  world — Thou  art  named  Johan,  son  ?" 

"Gottlob,  most  reverend  Abbot,  by  your  leave, 
and  with  the  Church's  favor." 

"  'Tis  a  pious  appellation,  and  I  trust  thou  dost  not 
forget  to  obey  the  duty  of  which  it  should  hourly 
remind  thee." 

"  In  that  particular  I  can  say  that  I  praise  God, 
father,  for  all  the  benefits  I  receive,  and  were  they 
double  what  they  are,  I  fee  that  within  me  which 
says  I  could  go  on  rendering  thanks  for  ever,  for 
gracious  .gifts." 

The  answer  of  Gottlob  caused  the  Abbot  to  turn 
his  head.  After  studying  the  demure  expression  of 
the  young  man's  face  intently,  he  continued — 

"This  is  well;  thou  art  a  huntsman  in  Count 
Emiclrs  household  ?" 

"  His  cow-herd,  holy  Abbot,  and  a  huntsman  in 
the  bargain ;  for  a  more  scampering,  self-losing, 
tiouble-giving  family  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  Pa- 
Fatinate,  than  this  of  mine !" 

"I  remember  it  was  a  cow-herd;  thou  dealt  a 
.ittle  lightly  with  my  brother  Siegfried  here,  in  pre- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  177 

tending  thou  wert  of  Deurckheim,  and  not  of  the 
castle." 

"  To  speak  fairly  to  your  reverence,  there  was  some 
business  between  us ;  for  be  it  known  to  you,  holy 
Abbot,  a  cow-herd  is  made  to  suffer  for  all  the  frolics 
of  his  beasts,  and  so  I  preferred  to  do  penance  simply 
for  my  own  backslidings,  without  white-washing  the 
consciences  of  all  Lord  Emich's  cattle  in  the  bar 
gain." 

The  Abbot  turned  again,  and  this  time  his  look 
was  still  longer  and  more  scrutinizing  than  before. 

"Hast  thou  heard  of  Luther?" 

"  Does  your  reverence  mean  the  drunken  cobbler 
of  Deurckheim." 

"  I  mean  the  monk  of  Wittenberg,  knave :  though, 
by  St.  Benedict !  thou  hast  not  unaptly  named  the 
rebel ;  for  truly  doth  he  cobble  that  would  fain  mend 
the  offices  or  discipline  of  Holy  Church  !  I  ask  if 
thou  hast  sullied  thy  understanding  and  weakened 
thy  faith,  by  lending  ear  to  this  damnable  heresy, 
that  is  abroad  in  our  Germany  ?" 

"  St.  Benedict  and  the  blessed  Maria  keep  your 
reverence  in  mind,  according  to  your  deserts !  What 
hath  a  poor  cow-herd  to  do  with  questions  that 
trouble  the  souls  of  the  learned,  and  cause  even  the 
peaceably  disposed  to  become  quarrelsome  and  war 
like?" 

"  Thou  hast  received  a  schooling  above  thy  for 
tune — Art  of  the  Jaegerthal  ?" 

"  Born  and  nurtured,  holy  Abbot.  We  are  of  long 
standing  in  the  valley,  and  few  families  are  better 
known  for  skill  in  rearing  beeves,  or  for  dealing 
cunningly  with  a  herd,  than  that  of  which  I  come, 
humble  and  poor  as  I  may  seem  to  your  reverence." 

"  I  doubt  but  there  is  as  much  seeming  as  reality 
in  this  indifferent  opinion  of  thyself.  But  thou  hast 
had  an  explanation  with  brother  Siegfried,  and  we 
ceunt  on  thy  services.  Thou  knowest  the  power  of 


178  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  Church,  son,  and  cannot  be  ignorant  of  its  dispo 
sition  to  deal  mercifully  with  those  that  do  it  hom 
age,  nor  of  its  displeasure  when  justly  angered.  We 
are  disposed  to  deal  in  increased  kindness  with  those 
who  do  not  stray  from  the  fold,  at  this  moment, 
when  the  Devils  are  abroad  scattering  the  ignoran 
and  helpless." 

"  Notwithstanding  all  you  have  said,  most  reverend 
Abbot,  concerning  the  trifle  I  have  gleaned  in  the 
way  of  education,  I  am  too  little  taught  to  under 
stand  aught  but  plain  speech.  In  the  matter  of  a 
bargain  it  might  be  well  to  name  the  conditions 
clearly,  lest  a  poor,  but  well-meaning,  youth  should 
happen  to  be  damned,  simply  because  he  hath  little 
knowledge  of  Latin,  or  cannot  clearly  understand 
what  hath  not  been  clearly  said." 

"  I  have  no  other  meaning  than  that  thy  pious  con 
duct  will  be  remembered  at  the  altar  and  the  con 
fessional;  and  that  indulgences,  and  other  lenities, 
will  not  be  forgotten  when  there  is  question  of  thee." 

"  This  is  excellent,  holy  Abbot,  for  those  that  may 
profit  by  it — but,  Saint  Benedict  help  us !  of  what 
account  would  it  all  be,  were  Lord  Emich  to  threaten 
his  people  with  the  dungeon  arid  stripes,  should  any 
dare  to  frequent  the  altars  of  Limburg,  or  other 
wise  to  have  dealings  with  the  reverend  brother 
hood  ?" 

"  Dost  think  our  prayers,  or  our  authority,  cannot 
penetrate  the  walls  of  Hartenburg  ?" 

"  Of  that,  most  powerful  Bonifacius,  I  say  nothing, 
since  I  never  have  yet  profited  in  the  way  you 
mean.  The  dungeon  of  Hartenburg  and  I  are  not 
strangers  to  each  other ;  and,  were  I  to  speak  my 
most  intimate  thoughts,  it  would  be  to  say,  that  Saint 
Benedict  himself  would  find  it  no  easy  matter  to 
open  its  doors,  or  to  soften  its  pavements,  so  long 
as  the  Count  was  in  an  angry  humour.  Potz  Tau 
send,  holy  Abbot !  it  is  well  to  speak  of  miracles 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  179 

and  of  indulgences ;  but  let  him  who  imagines  that 
either  is  about  to  make  that  damp  and  soul-chilling 
hole  warm  and  pleasant,  pass  a  night  within  its  walls 
in  November !  He  may  enter  with  as  much  faith  in 
the  Abbey  prayers  as  he  will ;  but  if  he  do  not  come 
forth  with  great  dread  of  Lord  Emich's  displeasure, 
why  he  is  not  flesh  and  blood,  but  a  burning  kiln  in 
the  form  of  mortality  !" 

Father  Bonifacius  saw  that  it  was  useless  en 
deavoring  to  influence  the  mind  of  the  cow-herd  in 
the  vulgar  manner,  and  he  had  recourse  to  surer 
means.  Motioning  his  companion  to  hand  him  a  little 
casket,  externally  decorated  with  many  of  the  vis 
ible  signs  of  the  Christian  faith,  he  took  out  of  it  a 
purse,  that  wanted  for  neither  size  nor  weight  The 
eyes  of  Gottlob  glistened — had  not  the  monks  been 
much  occupied  in  examining  the  gold,  they  might 
have  suspected  that  the  pleasure  he  betrayed  was  a 
little  affected — and  he  manifested  a  strong  disposition 
to  know  the  contents  of  a  bag  that  had  so  many  out 
ward  signs  of  value. 

"  This  will  make  peace  and  create  faith  between 
us,"  said  the  Abbot,  handing  a  golden  mark  to  Gott 
lob.  "  Here  is  that  which  the  dullest  comprehension 
can  understand ;  and  whose  merits,  I  doubt  not,  will 
be  sufficiently  clear  to  one  of  thy  ready  wit." 

"  Your  reverence  does  not  overvalue  my  means," 
answered  the  cow-herd,  who  pocketed  the  piece 
without  further  ceremony.  "  Were  our  good  Mother 
of  the  Church  to  take  this  method  of  securing  friends, 
she  might  laugh  at  all  the  Luthers  between  the  Lake 
of  Constance  and  the  ocean,  him  of  Wittenberg 
among  the  number :  but,  by  some  strange  oversight, 
she  has  of  late  done  more  towards  taking  away  the 
people's  gold,  than  towards  bestowing !  I  am  re 
joiced  to  find  that  the  mistake  is  at  last  discovered ; 
and  chiefly  am  I  glad,  that  one,  poor  and  unworthy 


180  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

as  I,  has  been  among  the  first  that  she  is  pleased  to 
make  an  instrument  of  her  new  intentions !" 

The  Abbot  appeared  at  a  loss  to  understand  the 
character  of  his  agent;  but,  being  a  worldly  and 
selfish  man  himself,  he  counted  rather  loosely  on  the 
influence  of  a  mediator  whose  potency  is  tacitly 
admitted  by  all  of  mercenary  propensities.  He  re 
sumed  his  seat,  therefore,  like  one  who  saw  little 
necessity  for  farther  concealment,  and  went  directly 
to  the  true  object  of  the  interview. 

"  Thou  hast  something  to  communicate  from  the 
Castle  of  Hartenburg,  good  Gottlob?" 

"  If  it  be  your  reverence's  pleasure  to  listen." 

"  Proceed — Canst  tell  aught  of  the  force  Emich 
hath  gathered  in  the  hold  ?" 

"  Mein  Herr  Abbot,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  count 
varlets  that  go  staggering  about,  from  the  moment 
the  sun  touches  your  Abbey  towers,  to  that  in  which 
he  sets  behind  the  Teufelstein." 

"  Hast  thou  not  means  of  separating  them  in  divi 
sions,  and  of  making  the  enumerations  of  each 
apart  ?" 

"  Holy  Abbot,  that  experiment  hath  failed.  I  di 
vided  them  into  the  drunk  and  the  sober ;  but,  for 
the  life  of  me,  I  could  never  get  them  all  to  be  long 
enough  of  the  same  mind,  to  hunt  up  those  that  were 
in  garrets  and  cellars ;  for  while  this  slept  off*  his 
debauch,  that  swallowed  cup  after  cup,  in  a  manner 
to  recruit  the  drunkards  as  fast  as  they  lost.  It  were 
far  easier  to  know  the  Emperor's  policy,  than  to 
count  Lord  Emich's  followers  !" 

"  Still  they  are  many." 

"  They  are  and  they  are  not,  as  one  happens  to 
view  soldiership.  In  the  way  of  draining  a  butt, 
Duke  Friedrich  would  find  them  a  powerful  corps, 
even  in  an  attack  against  his  Heidelburg  tun ;  and 
yet  I  doubt  whether  he  would  think  them  of  much 
account  in  the  pressing  warfare  he  wageth." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  181 

<  Go  to — thou  art  too  indirect  in  thy  answers  for 
the  duty  thou  hast  undertaken.      Return  the  gold 
"f  thou  refusest  the  service." 

"  I  pray  thee,  reverend  Abbot,  to  remember  the 
risks  I  have  already  run  in  this  desperate  under 
taking,  and  to  consider  that  the  trifle  you  have  so 
munificently  bestowed,  is  already  more  than  earned 
by  the  danger  of  my  ears,  to  say  nothing  of  great 
loss  of  reputation,  and  some  pricking  of  conscience." 

"This  clown  hath  tampered  with  thee,  Father 
Siegfried,"  said  the  Abbot,  in  a  tone  of  reproach  to 
the  attending  monk :  "  he  even  dares  to  make  light 
of  our  presence  and  office !" 

"  We  have  the  means  of  recalling  him  to  his  re 
spect,  as  well  as  to  a  remembrance  of  his  engage 
ments." 

"  Thou  sayest  true :  let  the  remedies  be  applied — 
but  hold!" 

During  this  brief  colloquy  between  the  Benedic 
tines,  Father  Siegfried  had  touched  a  cord,  and  a 
lay-brother,  of  vigorous  frame,  showed  himself.  At 
a  signal  from  the  monk,  he  laid  a  hand  on  an  arm 
of  the  unresisting  Gottlob,  and  was  about  to  lead 
him  from  the  room,  when  the  last  words  of  the 
Abbot,  and  another  signal  from  Father  Siegfried, 
caused  him  to  pause. 

Bonifacius  leaned  a  cheek  on  his  hand,  and  mused 
long  on  the  policy  of  the  step  he  was  about  to  take. 
The  relations  between  the  Abbey  and  the  Castle, 
to  adopt  diplomatic  language,  were  precisely  in  that 
awkward  state  in  which  it  was  almost  as  hazardous 
to  recede  as  to  advance.  To  imprison  a  vassal  of 
tke  Count  of  Hartenburg,  might  bring  matters  to 
an  immediate  issue ;  and  yet,  to  permit  him  to  quit 
the  convent,  was  to  deprive  the  brotherhood  of  the 
means  of  extracting  the  information  it  was  so  im 
portant  to  obtain,  and  to  procure  which  had  been 
the  principal  inducement  of  attending  the  debauch 


182  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

already  described,  at  a  moment  when  there  was  so 
little  real  amity  between  the  revellers.  The  pre- 
cautionof  Emich  had  frustrated  this  well-laid  scheme, 
and  the  result  of  the  experiment  had  been  too  cost'y 
to  admit  of  repetition.  There  was  also  hazard  in 
permitting  Gottlob  to  return  to  Hartenburg,  for  the 
expectations  and  hostile  spirit  of  the  Abbey  had  been 
so  unadvisedly  exposed  to  the  hind,  as  to  render  it 
certain  he  would  relate  what  had  occurred.  It  was 
desirable,  too,  to  maintain  an  appearance  of  con 
fidence,  although  so  little  was  felt;  for  the  monk 
well  knew,  that  next  to  friendship,  its  apparent  ex 
istence  was  of  account  in  preventing  the  usual  ex 
pedients  of  open  hostility.  Agents  were  at  Heidel- 
burg,  pressing  the  Elector  on  a  point  of  the  last 
concern  to  the  welfare  of  the  brotherhood ;  and  it 
was  particularly  material  that  Emich  should  not  be 
driven  to  any  overt  act  before  the  result  of  this 
mission  was  known.  In  short,  these  too  little  powers 
were  in  a  condition  similar  to  that  in  which  some 
greater  communities  have  been  known  to  exist,  in 
stinctively  alive  to  the  opposing  character  of  their 
respective  interests,  and  yet  tampering  with  the  de 
nouement,  because  neither  was  yet  prepared  to 
proclaim  all  it  wished,  meditated,  and  hoped  to  be 
able  to  attain,  In  the  mean  time,  there  was  an  os 
tensible  courtesy  between  the  belligerent  parties, 
occasionally  obscured  by  bursts  of  natural  feeling, 
which,  in  politics,  the  world  calls  bonhommie,  but 
which  would,  perhaps,  be  better  termed  by  the 
frank  designation  of  artifice. 

The  Abbot  was  so  much  accustomed  to  this  sort 
of  politic  reflection,  that  all  these  considerations 
passed  before  his  mind  in  less  time  than  we  have 
consumed  in  enumerating  them.  Still  the  pause 
was  salutary;  for,  when  he  resumed  the  discourse, 
he  spoke  like  one  whose  decision  was  supported  by 
thought. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  183 

"  Thou  wilt  tarry  with  us  a  little,  Gottlob,  for  the 
good  of  thy  soul,"  he  said,  making  a  sign  that  was 
understood  by  his  inferiors. 

"  A  thousand  thanks,  humane  and  godly  Abbot. 
Next  to  the  present  good  of  my  body,  I  look  with 
most  concern  to  the  future  condition  of  my  poor 
soul ;  and  there  is  great  comfort  and  consolation  in 
your  gracious  words.  It  is  but  the  soul  of  a  poor 
man ;  but,  being  my  all,  in  the  way  of  souls,  it  must 
needs  be  taken  care  of." 

"  The  discipline  we  meditate  will  be  healthful. 
Brothers,  lead  the  penitent  to  his  cell." 

The  singular  indifference  with  which  Gottlob 
heard  his  doom,  might  have  given  the  Abbot  motive 
for  reflection,  had  he  not  been  so  much  occupied  by 
other  thoughts.  As  it  was,  the  hind  accompanied 
the  lay  brother  without  resistance,  and  indeed  with 
the  manner  of  one  who  appeared  to  think  he  was  a 
gainer  by  this  especial  notice  from  the  community 
of  Limburg.  So  natural  and  easy  was  the  air  ol 
Gottlob,  as  they  took  the  direction  of  a  gloomy  cor 
ridor,  that  Father  Siegfried  began  to  believe  he 
had  employed  an  agent  whose  mind,  shrewd  and 
peculiar  as  it  seemed  at  times,  was  in  truth  subject 
to  moments  of  more  than  usual  imbecility  and  dull 
ness.  He  placed  the  cow-herd  in  a  cell,  pointed  to 
a  crucifix,  its  only  article  of  furniture,  and,  without 
deeming  it  necessary  even  to  secure  the  door,  re- 
fired. 


184  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTER  XL 

"  The  Lady  Valeria  is  come 

To  visit  you." 

Coriolanus. 


A  SHORT  ride  brought  the  cavalcade  of  Count 
Emich  to  the  gates  of  Hartenburg.  When  all  had 
alighted,  and  the  guests,  with  the  more  regular  in 
mates  of  the  castle,  were  ushered  into  the  hall,  the 
lord  of  the  hold  again  saluted  Ulrike  and  her  daugh 
ter.  This  freedom  was  the  privilege  of  his  rank, 
and  of  his  character  as  host;  and  for  its  exercise, 
lie  once  more  received  the  grateful  acknowledg 
ments  of  Heinrich  Frey.  The  females  were  then 
committed  to  the  care  of  Gisela,  the  warder's  daugh 
ter,  who,  in  the  absence  of  its  more  noble  mistress, 
happened  to  be  the  presiding  person  of  her  sex  in  the 
place. 

"  Thou  art  thrice  welcome,  upright  and  loyal 
Heinrich !"  exclaimed  the  Count,  heartily,  while  he 
led  the  Burgomaster  by  the  hand,  into  one  of  the 
rooms  of  honor — "  None  know  thy  worth,  and  thy 
constancy  to  thy  friends,  better  than  the  master  of 
this  poor  castle ;  and  none  love  thee  better." 

"  Thanks,  well-born  Emich,  and  such  duty  as  one 
of  poor  birth  and  breeding  can  and  should  pay  to  a 
noble  so  honoured  and  prized.  I  am  little  used  to 
courtesies,  beyond  those  which  we  burghers  give 
and  take  in  the  streets,  and  may  not  do  myself  full 
justice  in  the  expression  of  reverence  and  respect, 
but  I  pray  you,  Herr  Count,  to  take  the  desire  for 
the  performance." 

"  Wert  thou  the  Emperor's  most  favored  cham 
berlain,  thy  speech  could  not  do  thee  more  credit. 
Though  Deurckheim  be   not  Madrid,  it  is  a  well 
respected  and  courtly  city,  and  none  need  envy  the 
Roman,  or  the  Parisian,  that  dwelleth  there.    Here 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  185 

is  my  kinsman  of  Viederbach,  a  knight  that  Provi 
dence  hath  cast  a  little  loosely  upon  the  world  since 
the  downfall  of  his  Mediterranean  island  of  Rhodes, 
and  who  hath  travelled  far  arid  near,  and  he  swears, 
daily,  thy  town  hath  no  parallel,  for  its  dimensions." 

"  Considered  as  a  mountain  city  of  no  great  mag 
nitude,  meine  Herren,  we  do  not  blush  at  the  aspect 
of  our  ancient  walls." 

"  Thou  needest  not,  and  thou  must  have  noted 
that  I  spoke  in  reference  to  its  size.  Monsieur 
Latouche  is  a  gentleman  that  cometh  from  the  capi 
tal  of  King  Francis  itself;  and  no  later  than  this 
morning,  he  remarked  on  the  neatness,  and  wealth, 
and  other  matters  of  consideration,  that  make  them 
selves  apparent,  even  to  the  stranger,  in  thy  well- 
governed  and  prosperous  borough." 

The  Burgomaster  acknowledged  the  compliment, 
by  a  profound  inclination  and  a  gratified  eye,  for  no 
flattery  is  so  palpable  as  not  to  meet  a  welcome 
with  those  who  labor  for  public  distinction;  and 
Emich  well  knew,  that  the  police  and  order  of  his 
city  were  weak  spots  in  Heinrich  Frey's  humility. 

"  Lord  Emich  scarce  does  me  justice,"  returned 
the  pliant  Abbe,  "  since  I  found  many  other  causes 
of  admiration.  The  deference  that  is  paid  to  rank 
in  thy  populace,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  con 
venience  of  the  honourable  is  respected,  are  parti 
cularly  worthy  of  commendation." 

"  The  churchman  is  right,  Lord  Emich — for,  of 
all  the  towns  in  Germany,  I  do  not  think  it  easy  to 
find  another  in  which  the  poor  and  base  are  so  well 
taught  to  refrain  from  thrusting  their  importunities 
and  disadvantages  on  the  gentle,  as  in  our  Deurck- 
heim.  I  think  my  lord  the  Count  must  have  ob 
served  the  strict  severity  and  cautious  justice  of 
our  rules  in  this  particular  ?" 

"  None  know  them  better,  nor  does  any  heed  them 
more.  I  cannot  recall  the  moment,  cousin  Albrecht, 
Q2 


.3 

18G  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

when  any  unpleasant  intrusion  on  my  privileges  hath 
ever  occurred  within  its  gates.  But  I  keep  you  from 
refreshing  yourselves,  worthy  friends.  Give  us  leave 
a  little  ; — we  will  seek  you  again,  at  your  own  con 
venience/' 

The  Knight  and  the  Abbe  took  this  intimation 
of  the  desire  of  the  Count  to  be  alone  with  the 
Burgomaster  in  good  part,  and  withdrew  with 
out  unnecessary  delay.  When  alone,  Emich  again 
took  Heinrich  Frey  by  the  hand,  and  led  him  away 
into  a  part  of  the  castle  where  none  presumed  to  in 
trude  without  an  especial  errand.  Here  he  entered 
one  of  those  narrow  rooms,  which  were  devoted  to 
secret  uses,  and  which  was  well  termed  a  closet, 
being  in  effect  but  little  larger  and  scarcely  better 
lighted,  than  the  straitened  apartments  to  which  we 
give  the  same  appellation  in  these  later  times. 

When  fairly  protected  from  observation,  and  re 
moved  beyond  the  danger  of  eaves-droppers  and  spies, 
the  Count  threw  aside  his  cloak,  unbuckled  his  sword- 
belt,  and  assumed  the  manner  of  one  at  his  ease.  The 
Burgomaster  took  a  seat  on  a  stool,  in  deference  to 
his  companion's  rank ;  while  the  latter,  without  seem 
ing  sensible  of  the  act,  seated  himself  at  his  side,  in 
the  only  chair  that  the  closet  contained.  Whoever 
has  haa  much  intercourse  with  Asiatics,  or  with 
Mussulmans  of  the  southern  shore  of  the  Mediter 
ranean,  must  have  frequently  observed  the  silent, 
significant,  manner  with  which  they  regard  eacn 
other,  when  disposed  to  court  or  to  yield  confidence ; 
the  eye  gradually  kindling,  and  the  muscles  of  the 
mouth  relaxing,  until  the  feeling  is  fully  betrayed  in 
a  smile.  This  is  one  of  the  means  employed  by  men 
who  dwell  under  despotic  and  dangerous  govern 
ments,  and  where  the  social  habits  are  much  tinc 
tured  with  violence  and  treachery,  of  assuring  one 
another  of  secret  faith  and  ready  support.  There 
is  a  sort  of  similar  freemasonry  in  all  conditions  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  187 

life,  in  which  frank  and  just  institutions  do  not  spread 
their  mantle  equally  over  the  powerful  and  the  weak, 
superseding,  by  the  majesty  of  the  law,  the  necessity 
of  these  furtive  appeals  to  the  pledges  and  sympathies 
of  confidants.  Such,  in  some  degree,  was  the  nature 
of  the  communication  with  which  Emich  of  Har- 
tenburg  now  commenced  his  private  intercourse 
with  Heinrich  Frey.  The  Count  first  laid  his  square, 
bony,  hand  on  the  knee  of  the  Burgomaster,  which 
he  squeezed  until  the  iron  fingers  were  nearly  buried 
in  the  fleshy  protuberance.  Each  turned  his  head 
toward  his  companion,  looking  askance,  as  if  they 
mutually  understood  the  meaning  of  what  was  con 
veyed  by  this  silent  coquetry.  Still,  notwithstanding 
the  apparent  community  of  thought  and  confidence, 
the  countenance  and  air  of  each  was  distinguished 
by  the  personal  character  and  the  social  station  of 
the  individual.  The  eye  of  the  Baron  was  both 
more  decided,  and  more  openly  meaning,  than  that 
of  the  Burgomaster ;  while  the  smile  of  the  latter 
appeared  rather  like  a  faint  reflection  of  the  inviting 
expression  of  the  former,  than  the  effect  of  any  in 
ward  impulse. 

"Hast  heard  of  last  night's  success?"  abruptly 
demanded  the  Count. 

"Nothing  of  the  sort  hath  gladdened  me,  Herr 
Count ;  my  heart  yearns  to  know  all,  if  it  touches 
your  high  interests." 

"  The  mass-singing  rogues  are  stripped  of  theii 
wine-tribute !  Of  that  much  are  they  fairly  and 
legally  disburdened !  Thou  knowest  of  our  long- 
intended  trial  of  heads;  I  had  intended  to  have 
prayed  thee  to  be  a  second  at  the  banquet,  but  the 
presence  of  these  idlers  put  some  restraint  on  my 
hospitality.  Thou  wouldest  have  proved  a  stanch 
second  in  such  an  onset,  Heinrich !" 

"  I  thank  my  lord  the  Count,  and  shall  deem  the 
grace  as  good  as  accomplished  in  the  wish.  I  am 


188  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

not  worse  than  another  at  board,  and  may  boast  of 
some  endurance  in  the  way  of  liquor,  but  the  serious- 
ness  of  the  times  admonishes  us,  of  civic  authority, 
to  be  prudent.  There  is  a  wish  in  the  people  to  be 
admitted  to  certain  unreasonable  and  grave  privi 
leges,  such  as  the  right  of  vending  their  wares  in  the 
market-place  at  unseasonable  hours,  when  the  con 
venience  of  the  burgomasters  would  be  much  vexed 
by  the  concession ;  and  other  similar  innovations, 
against  which  we  must  make  a  firm  stand,  lest  they 
come,  in  time,  to  invade  our  general  authority  and 
cause  an  unnatural  convulsion.  Were  we  to  give 
way  to  pretensions  so  extravagant,  Herr  Count,  the 
town  would  come  to  general  confusion;  and  the 
orderly  and  respectable  city  of  Deurckheim  would 
justly  merit  to  be  compared  to  the  huts  of  those 
countries  of  which  they  speak  in  the  distant  land  of 
America,  that  hath  so  much,  of  late,  given  cause  to 
writings  and  conversation.  We  need,  therefore, 
look  to  the  example  set ;  for  we  have  busy  enemies, 
who  make  the  most  of  the  smallest  indulgences.  At 
another  time,  I  would  gladly  have  drained  Heidel- 
burg  to  your  gracious  honor." 

"  Thou  wouldest  not  have  been  in  danger  of  ob 
servation  here ;  and,  by  the  three  holy  Kings  of 
Koeln,  I  should  know  how  to  tutor  any  prying  knave 
that  might  chance  to  thrust  a  curious  eye  within 
these  walls !  But  thy  discretion  is  worthy  of  thy 
prudence,  Heinrich;  for,  with  thee,  I  deem  the  time 
serious  for  all  lovers  of  established  order,  and  of  the 
peace  of  mankind.  What  would  the  knaves,  that 
they  thus  trouble  thy  authority  ?  Are  they  not  fed 
and  clad  ?  and  do  they  not  now  possess  privileges 
out  of  number  ?  The  greedy  rogues,  if  left  to  their 
humors,  would  fain  envy  their  betters  each  delicate 
morsel  they  carry  to  their  mouths,  or  each  drop  of 
generous  rhenjsh  that  moistens  their  lips !" 

"I  fear,  well-born  Emich,  that  this  spirit  of  cov. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  189 

etousness  is  in  their  vile  natures  !  I  have  rarely  con 
sented  to  any  little  yielding  to  their  entreaties,  such 
as  a  wish  to  swell  out  the  time  of  their  merry 
makings,  or  a  desire  like  this  of  the  market-place, 
that  the  taste  of  the  indulgence  hath  not  given  a 
relish  for  fuller  fare.  No;  he  that  would  govern 
quietly,  and  at  his  own  ease,  must  govern  thoroughly; 
else  shall  we  all  become  illiterate  savages,  fitter  for 
the  forests  of  these  Indies,  than  for  our  present  ra 
tional  and  charitable  civilization." 

"  Braver  words  were  never  uttered  in  thy  council- 
hall,  and  well  do  I  know  the  head  that  conceived 
them  !  Had  there  been  occasion  to  have  summoned 
thee  hither  for  the  banquet,  the  excuse  should  have 
satisfied,  though  the  vineyards  were  the  forfeiture. 
But  what  didst  think,  friend  Heinrich.,  of  the  priests 
to-day,  and  of  their  warlike  company  !" 

"  'Tis  plain  Duke  Friedrich  still  upholds  them ; 
and  to  deal  frankly  with  my  lord  the  Count,  the  men- 
at-arms  have  the  air  of  fellows  that  are  not  likely  to 
yield  the  hill  without  fair  contention." 

"Thinkest  thou  thus,  Burgomaster?  'Twere  a 
thousand  pities  that  men  of  tried  mettle  should  do 
each  other  harm,  for  the  benefits  and  pleasure  of  a 
community  of  shaven  Benedictines !  What  is  there 
to  urge  in  favor  of  pretensions  so  audacious  as 
these  they  prefer,  and  which  are  so  offensive,  both 
to  me,  as  a  noble  of  the  empire,  and  to  all  of  any 
note  or  possessions  in  Deurckheim  ?" 

"  They  lay  great  stress,  Herr  Count,  on  the  virtue 
of  ancient  usages,  and  on  the  sacred  origin  of  their 
mission." 

"As  much  respect  as  thou  wilt  for  rights  that  are 
sealed  by  time,  for  such  is  the  stamp  that  gives  value 
to  my  own  fair  claims ;  and  many  of  thy  city  privi 
leges  come  chiefly  of  use.  But  the  matter  between 
js  is  of  abuse ;  and  I  hold  it  to  be  unworthy  of  those 


190  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

who  can  right  themselves,  to  submit  to  wrong  Do 
the  monks  still  press  the  town  for  dues  ?' 

"  With  offensive  importunity.  If  matters  be  not 
quickly  stayed,  we  shall  come  to  open  and  indecent 
dissension." 

"  I  would  give  a  winter's  enjoyment  of  my  chases, 
were  Friedrich  more  sorely  pressed !"  exclaimed  the 
Count,  laying  his  hand  again  on  the  Burgomaster's 
knee,  whose  countenance  he  studied  with  a  signifi 
cance  that  was  not  lost  on  his  companion.  "  I  speak 
merely  in  the  manner  of  his  being  driven  to  know 
his  true  and  fast  friends  from  those  who  are  false." 

Heinrich  Frey  remained  silent. 

"  The  Elector  is  a  mild  and  loving  prince,  but  one 
sorely  ridden  by  Rome  !  I  fear  we  shall  never  have 
a  tranquil  neighborhood,  notwithstanding  our  long 
forbearance,  until  the  Church  is  persuaded  to  limit 
its  authority  to  its  duties." 

The  eyelids  of  the  Burgomaster  lowered,  as  it 
might  be  in  reflection. 

"And  chiefly,  Heinrich,  am  I  troubled  lest  my 
good  and  loving  Deurckheimers  lose  this  occasion 
to  do  themselves  right,"  continued  the  Count,  squeez 
ing  the  knee  he  still  grasped,  until  even  the  com 
pact  citizen  flinched  with  the  force  of  the  pressure. 
"What  say  they  in  the  council-hall  touching  this 
matter?' 

There  was  no  longer  any  plausible  apology  for 
the  silence  of  the  Burgomaster,  who  did  not  an 
swer,  however,  without  working  the  heavy  muscles 
of  his  face,  as  if  delivered  of  his  opinions  with  pain. 

"  Men  speak  their  minds  among  us,  noble-born 
Count,  much  as  Duke  Friedrich  prospers,  or  fails,  in 
his  warfare.  When  we  hear  good  tidings  from  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  the  brotherhood  fares  but 
badly  in  our  discourses ;  but  when  the  Elector's  war 
riors  triumph,  we  hold  it  prudent  to  remember  they 
have  friends." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  191 

"  God's  truth !  Herr  Heinrich,  it  is  full  time  that 
you  come  to  certain  conclusions,  else  shall  we  be 
saddled  to  the  end  of  our  days  by  these  hard-riding 
priests !  Art  thou  not  wearied  with  all  their  greedy 
exactions,  that  thou  waitest  patiently  for  more  ?" 

"In  that  particular,  a  little  sufficeth  for  our  humors. 
There  is  not  a  city  between  Constance  and  Leyden, 
that  is  more  quickly  satisfied  with  paying  than  our 
Deurckheim :  but  we  are  husbands  and  fathers,  Herr 
Count,  and  men  that  bear  a  heavy  burthen  of  au 
thority;  and  we  must  be  wary,  lest  in  throwing 
aside  one  portion  of  the  load,  'space  be  found  on 
our  shoulders  to  place  another  that  is  heavier. 
When  I  would  speak  of  your  strong  love  to  the 
town,  there  are  distrustful  tongues,  that  question  me 
sorely  of  its  fruits,  and  of  your  own  honorable  in 
tentions  in  our  behalf." 

"  To  all  of  which  thou  couldest  not  be  wanting 
of  replies !  Have  I  not  often  entertained  thee  with 
my  loving  wishes  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  ?" 

"  If  wishes  in  our  behalf  could  serve  our  interests, 
the  townsmen  might,  in  their  proper  right,  put  in  a 
claim  to  high  favor.  In  the  way  of  longing  for 
our  own  success,  Antwerp  itself  is  not  our  better." 

"  Nay,  thou  takest  my  meaning  unkindly :  what 
Emich  of  Hartenburg  wishes  for  his  friends,  he  finds 
means  to  perform.  But  we  will  not  trouble  digestion, 
as  we  are  about  to  feed,  with  these  tiresome  details — " 

"  I  pray  you,  Herr  Count,  not  to  doubt  my  means; 
— little  troubles  me,  when " 

"  Thou  shalt  yield  to  my  humor.  What !  is  not 
the  Count  of  Leiningen  master  in  his  own  castle.  Not 
a  word  more  will  I  hear  till  thou  hast  tasted  of  my 
poor  hospitality.  Did  my  knaves  serve  thee,  as  I 
commanded  yesterday,  with  the  fat  buck  that  fell 
by  rny  own  hand,  Heinrich  ?" 

"  A  thousand  thanks,  mein  Herr — they  did,  and 
right  cheerfully.  I  gave  the  rogues  a  silver  penny  for 


192  .        THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

their  largess ;  and  the  dust  of  the  Jaegerthal  was 
washed  away  in  heavy  draughts  of  our  wine  of  the 
plain." 

"I  would  have  it  so ;  between  friends,  there  should 
be  no  niggardly  reserve,  in  the  way  of  courtesies," 
said  Emich,  rising.  "  Dost  not  bethink  thee,  Burgo 
master,  of  looking  among  the  youths  of  Deurck- 
heim  for  a  son  to  stay  thy  age  1  Meta  hath  reached 
the  years  when  maidens  gladly  become  wives."  • 

"  The  wench  is  not  ignorant  of  her  time  of  life, 
and  the  search  of  a  suitable  husband  hath  not  failed 
to  give  me  fatherly  concern.  I  do  not  presume  to 
compare  our  conditions  and  early  lives  in  aught 
that  is  disrespectful,  mein  Herr  Graf;  but,  touching 
all  that  is  common  to  great  and  little,  the  youth  of 
this  day  seem  not  as  they  were  in  the  time  of  our 
young  manhood." 

"  Priest-ridden,  Burgomaster ; — too  much  of  Rome 
in  our  laws  and  habits.  God's  my  life !  when  I  first 
mounted  steed,  in  the  court  below,  I  could  have 
leaped  the  convent  towers,  did  a  Benedictine  dare 
gainsay  the  feat !" 

"  That  would  have  been  a  miracle  little  short  of 
the  raising  of  their  convent  walls,"  answered  Hein- 
rich,  laughing  at  his  companion's  flight,  and  rising 
in  deference  to  the  attitude  the  noble  had  been 
pleased  to  take.  "  These  Benedictines  have  been 
careless  of  their  advantages,  else  might  they  still 
have  kept  the  circumstance  of  that  miracle  as  much 
beyond  dispute,  as  it  was  in  our  young  days,  Lord 
Count." 

"  And  what  say  they  in  Deurckheim,  now,  touch 
ing  the  affair  ?" 

"  Nay,  men  treat  it,  at  present,  as  they  treat  other 
disputable  subjects.  Since  this  outcry  of  Brother 
Luther,  the^e  have  appeared  many  who  call  in  ques 
tion  not  only  that,  but  divers  others  of  the  Abbey's 
feats." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  193 

The  Count  unconsciously  crossed  himself,  seeming 
to  ponder  gloomily  on  the  subject,  within  his  own 
mind.  Then  glancing  towards  his  companion,  he 
perceived  that  he  was  standing. 

"  I  cry  thy  mercy,  worthy  Burgomaster ;  but  my 
inattention  hath  given  thee  this  pain.  My  leg  hath 
been  so  much  of  late  suspended  in  the  stirrup,  that 
it  hath  need  of  straightening;  but  it  should  not,  in  jus 
tice,  cause  thee  this  inconvenience.  I  pray  thee, 
Herr  Frey,  be  seated," 

"  That  would  ill  become  my  station  in  your 
presence,  noble  and  well-born  Emich ;  nor  would  it 
do  fit  credit  to  my  reverence  and  affection." 

"  Nay,  I  will  hear  none  of  this.  Thy  seat,  Master 
Heinrich,  and  that  without  delay,  lest  I  seem  to 
overlook  thy  merits." 

"  I  pray  mein  Herr  Graf  not  to  do  himself  this 
wrong ;  nay,  if  it  be  your  honorable  will — I  blush  at 
mine  own  daring — if  I  consent,  I  call  my  lord  to 
witness  'tis  only  in  profound  respect  for  his  will !" 

During  this  struggle  of  courtesy,  the  Count  suc 
ceeded,  by  means  of  gentle  violence,  in  forcing  the 
Burgomaster  to  resume  his  seat.  Heinrich  had 
yielded  with  a  species  of  maiden  coyness ;  but  when 
he  found  that,  instead  of  occupying  his  own  humble 
stool,  he  had  unwittingly  been  forced  into  the  arm 
chair  of  the  noble,  he  rebounded  from  the  cushion, 
as  if  the  leather  contained  enough  of  the  electric 
fluid  to  bid  defiance  to  the  nonconductor  qualities 
of  the  ample  woollen  garment  in  which  his  nether 
person  was  cased. 

"  Gott  bewahre  !"  exclaimed  the  Burgomaster,  in 
harsh,  energetic  German:  "The  empire  would  cry 
out  against  this  scandal,  were  it  known !  I  owe  it  to 
my  reputation  to  deny  myself  an  honor  so  little 
deserved." 

"  And  I  to  my  authority  to  enforce  my  will,  and  to 
proclaim  thy  deserts." 

R 


194  THE  HKIDENMAUER, 

Here  the  amiable  force  on  the  part  of  the  Count, 
and  the  courteous  coquetry  of  Heinrich  Frey,  were 
resumed,  until  the  latter,  fearful  of  offending  by 
longer  resistance,  was  obliged  to  submit,  protesting, 
however,  to  the  last,  against  the  apparent  presump 
tion  on  his  own  part,  and  against  the  great  injus 
tice  which  the  lord  of  the  hold  was  doing  to  his 
own  rights,  by  thus  insisting. 

A  distinguished  foreign  orator  once  pronounced 
the  titles  of  honor,  and  the  social  distinctions  that 
are  conferred  by  the  European  governments,  to  be 
the  "  cheap  defence  of  nations."  This  opinion 
strikes  us  to  be  merely  one  of  the  thousand  bold 
fallacies  that  have  been  broached  to  uphold  existing 
interests,  without  reference  to  their  true  effects,  or 
to  their  inherent  justice.  This  "cheap  defence," 
like  the  immortal  Falstaff,  who  was  not  only  witty 
himself,  but  the  cause  of  wit  in  others,  is  the  origin 
of  a  hundred  sufficiently  costly  habits,  that  leave 
him  who  bears  the  burthen  but  little  reason  to  exult 
in  its  discovery.  We  recommend  to  all  one-eyed 
economists,  who  still  retain  any  faith  in  this  well- 
known  opinion  of  the  English  orator,  to  read  that 
letter  in  the  Spectator,  in  which  a  city  youth  relates 
the  manner  he  is  driven  to  vindicate  his  own  reserve 
to  his  fair  country  cousins,  who  would  fain  reproach 
him  with  an  ungraceful  disrespect  of  his  holiday 
privileges,  by  reminding  them  of  the  calculations  of 
the  individual  who  refused  to  indulge  in  cheese 
cakes,  because  they  brought  with  them  so  many 
other  unnecessary  expenditures. 

But  whether  honors  of  the  description  just  alluded 
to,  do  or  do  not  form  any  portion  of  the  economy 
of  a  nation,  there  is  little  question  but  flattery,  like 
this  which  Emich  has  just  bestowed  on  the  Burgo 
master,  is  one  of  the  subtle  and  most  powerful  agents 
of  the  great  in  effecting  their  secret  purposes.  Few 
are  they — alas,  how  few ! — that  possess  a  vision 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  195 

sufficiently  clear,  and  an  ambition  so  truly  noble,  as 
to  look  beyond  the  narrow  and  vulgar  barriers  of 
human  selfishness,  and  to  regard  truth  as  it  came 
from  God,  without  respect  for  persons  and  things, 
except  as  they  are  the  instruments  of  his  will.  It 
is  certain  that  Heinrich  Frey  had  little  pretension 
to  be  one  of  this  scrutinizing  and  elevated  class;  for 
when  he  found  himself  fairly  seated  in  the  chair  of 
the  Count  of  Hartenburg,  with  the  noble  himself 
standing,  his  sensations  were  like  those  which  are 
felt  by  the  philosopher  of  the  other  hemisphere,  who 
is  authorized  to  put  a  ribbon  at  his  button-hole; — 
or  the  tradesman  of  this,  who  is  elected  to  the 
common-council  of  his  native  city,  after  being  run 
on  both  tickets.  Still  he  greatly  regretted  there 
was  no  one  to  envy  his  preferment;  for,  after  the 
first  soothing  effect  on  his  own  self-love,  that  unquiet 
spirit  which  haunts  us  to  the  last,  disfiguring  the 
fairest  pictures,  and  casting  its  alloy  into  every  scheme 
of  happiness,  suggested  that  his  triumph  would  be 
imperfect  without  a  witness.  Just  as  this  rebellious 
feeling  became  troublesome,  there  appeared  at  the 
door  of  the  closet,  the  very  being  of  all  others  that 
the  Burgomaster  would  have  chosen  to  see  him  in 
the  enjoyment  of  this  high  honor.  A  gentle  tap 
announced  the  presence  of  the  intruder,  and  when 
the  authoritative  voice  of  Emich  had  given  the 
permission,  the  mild  Ulrike  appeared  on  the  thres 
hold. 

Surprise  was  strongly  painted  on  the  features  of 
the  Burgomaster's  wife.  The  husband  had  crossed 
his  legs,  and  was  indulging  in  his  ease,  with  a  sort 
of  noble  indifference  to  the  unusual  situation  in 
which  he  was  placed,  when  this  extraordinary  sight 
greeted  the  eyes  of  his  amazed  consort.  So  absolute 
and  so  tenacious  were  the  rules  of  Germany  on  all 
things  that  concerned  the  respect  due  to  rank,  that 
even  one  as  little  troubled  by  ambition  as  the  meek 


t96  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Ulrike,  had  great  difficulty  in  believing  her  senses 
when  she  beheld  Heinrich  Frey  thus  suddenly  ele 
vated  to  a  seat  of  honor  in  the  presence  of  a  Count 
of  Leiningen. 

"Nay,  enter  without  fear,  my  good  Ulrike,"  said 
Emich,  graciously;  "thy  worthy  husband  and  I  do 
but  indulge  in  mutual  friendship,  while  my  varlets 
prepare  an  unworthy  banquet.  Do  not  think  to 
break  our  discourse." 

"  I  only  hesitate,  noble  Emich,  at  seeing  Heinrich 
Frey  preferred  to  that  seat,  while  the  Lord  of  Har- 
tenburg  stands,  like  one  of  humble  birth,  at  his 
side !" 

"  Touch  not  the  matter,  meine  Frau,"  said  the 
husband  condescendingly.  "  Thou  art  a  loving  con 
sort,  and  art  well  enough  amid  thy  sex,  and  in  ques 
tions  that  belong  to  thy  breeding;  but  in  an  affair, 
like  this,  between  mein  Herr  Graf  and  me,  thou 
mayest  only  mar  what  thou  canst  not  mend." 

"  By  the  life  of  the  princely  Karl !  master  Hein 
rich,  you  do  insufficient  justice  to  Ulrike's  discern 
ment!  Were  mine  own  Ermengarde  among  us, 
thou  shouldst  see  that  we  prize  thy  loving  wife  little 
less  than  we  esteem  thee.  But  it  were  better  that 
we  inquire  of  Ulrike  the  occasion  of  her  visit, 
before  we  attempt  to  school  her  on  matters  of  de 
portment." 

Though  so  rough  and  unnurtured  on  many  of  the 
points  that  are  now  deemed  essential  even  to  an 
indifferent  civilization,  Emich  had  a  quick  interest 
for  the  perception  of  character,  and  possessed  as 
much  of  the  refinement  that  marks  a  superior  con 
dition  in  life,  as  the  state  of  the  age  and  the  situation 
of  his  own  country  permitted.  There  can  be  no 
greater  mistake  than  to  imagine  that  mere  nominal 
rank  is  any  pledge  for  a  correspondent  degree  of 
refinement,  since  every  thing  is  relative  in  this  world, 
and  where  the  base  of  the  pillar  is  rude  and  little 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  197 

polished,  it  would  be  a  violation  of  all  architectural 
keeping,  to  expect  a  capital  of  a  different  style. 
Thus  it  is  that  we,  without  any  social  orders  but 
those  of  convention,  are  struck  with  so  many  gla 
ring  discrepancies  among  people  whose  patricians, 
Having  studied  all  that  is  factitious  and  plausible  in 
breeding,  are  still  deficient  in  the  grand  essentials  of 
reason  and  humanity,  simply  because  the  roots  of 
the  society,  of  which  they  are  only  the  more  lux 
uriant  branches,  are  planted  in  the  soil  of  ignorance 
and  debasement.  The  Count  of  Hartenburg  had 
possessed  ample  opportunities  of  witnessing  how 
much  the  intellectual  qualities  of  the  Burgomaster's 
wife  were  superior  to  those  of  her  husband ;  and  he 
had  sufficient  discrimination  and  experience  to  be 
quite  aware  of  the  importance  of  conciliating  such 
an  ally  in  advancing  his  own  particular  views.  It 
was  in  this  spirit,  therefore,  that  he  ventured  on  so 
blunt  a  reproof  of  Heinrich's  superciliousness,  and 
volunteered  the  compliment  to  the  spouse ;  probably 
hazarding  the  latter,  from  an  intimate  conviction 
that  most  husbands  are  content  to  hear  eulogies  on 
those  who  are  so  completely  in  their  power  as  their 
own  wives. 

"  Since  it  is  your  honorable  pleasure,  Herr  Count, 
for  God's  sake  let  the  woman  come  in,"  answered 
Heinrich,  still,  however, without  changing  an  attitude 
so  soothing  to  his  self-esteem.  "  If  she  should  see 
me  seated  in  a  presence  in  which  it  would  much  bet 
ter  become  me  to  kneel,  why  it  may  help  to  show 
that  God  hath  given  her  a  companion  that  is  not 
altogether  without  the  world's  esteem,  little  as  he 
may  merit  it.  Enter  freely,  therefore,  good  Ulrike, 
since  it  is  my  lord's  pleasure ;  but  presume  not  on 
his  condescension  to  me,  which  is  rather  a  mark  of 
great  love  for  our  town,  than  any  matter  connected 
with  domestic  life. " 

R2 


198  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  In  all  that  the  high-born  Count  hath  done  honof 
to  any  of  us,  whether  as  of  Deurckheim,  or  as  his 
unworthy  neighbors,  I  desire  respectfully  to  be 
grateful,"  returned  the  wife,  who,  by  this  time,  had 
recovered  from  her  surprise,  ana  who  now  advanced 
farther  into  the  narrow  room,  with  the  modest  self- 
possession  which  ordinarily  distinguished  her  man 
ner : — "  If  I  do  not  come  amiss,  I  crave  to  be  heard 
of  both,  in  a  matter  that  toucheth  nearly  a  mother's 
heart ;  and  a  matter,  as  it  is  of  Heinrich  Frey's 
child  I  would  fain  speak,  that  I  trust  may  not  be  in 
different  to  my  lord  the  Count." 

"  Were  it  of  mine  own  little  Kunigunde,  the  sub 
ject  should  not  be  more  welcome  !"  said  the  noble. 
"  Speak  freely  then,  gentle  Ulrike,  and  with  the  same 
simplicity  thou  wouldest  use  were  it  only  to  thy 
husband's  ear." 

"  Thou  hearest,  woman !  mein  Herr  Graf  enters, 
as  it  were,  into  all  our  tribulations  and  happiness, 
an'  he  were  no  other  than  a  brother.  So  mince  not 
the  matter,  but  deal  frankly  with  us ;  though  I  ad 
monish  thee  not  to  push  thy  words  to  all  the  famil 
iarity  of  household  discourse." 

"As  it  is  of  a  subject  so  near,  I  pray  leave  to  close 
the  door,  before  more  is  uttered." 

The  words  of  Ulrike  were  cut  short  by  a  hasty 
gesture  of  approbation  from  her  husband,  and  by 
the  Count  himself,  who,  with  more  of  the  considera 
tion  and  manner  of  a  gentleman,  performed  the  de 
sired  office  with  his  own  hands,  thus  admitting  the 
wife,  as  it  were,  into  the  very  cabinet  of  their  secret 
councils. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  199 


CHAPTER  XIL 

«  You  would  be  another  Penelope:  yet  ifeey 
Say,  all  the  yarn  she  spun,  in  Ulysses'  absence,  did 
But  fill  Ithaca  full  of  moths." 

Conolanuf. 

WHEPT  Ulrike  found  herself  fairly  closeted  with 
the  Count  and  her  husband,  and  was  quietly  seated 
on  the  stool  which  the  former,  spite  of  the  latter's 
protestations  to  the  contrary,  had  insisted  on  her 
taking,  she  cast  her  mild  eyes  about  her,  with  that 
expressive  and  touching  appeal  that  a  woman  is  apt 
to  make,  when  she  feels  called  on  to  act  as  the  ad 
viser,  if  not  the  guardian,  of  him  whom  nature  in 
tended  and  the  law  presumes,  is  both  able  and  will 
ing  to  discharge  those  offices  for  her.  Notwithstand 
ing  Heinrich's  obstinacy  and  masculine  swaggering, 
many  occasions  had  arrived,  in  the  course  of  their 
matrimonial  life,  to  produce  a  latent  conviction  in 
both,  that  the  order  of  things  was  a  little  inverted, 
as  respects  judgment  and  moral  authority,  by  incli 
ning  one  to  lean,  though  with  but  an  indifferent  grace, 
where  he  should  have  supported ;  and  tempting  the 
other,  at  times,  to  overstep  her  sex's  duties,  though 
it  was  always  done  with  an  intuitive  perception  of 
her  sex's  seemliness  awd  means, 

"  For  this  condescension  I  thank  my  Lord  Emich, 
and  thee,  Heinrich,"  commenced  the  thoughtful  ma 
tron  ;  "  for  it  is  not,  at  all  times,  advisable  for  the 
wife  to  intrude  unbidden  even  to  her  husband's 
presence." 

A  significant  ejaculation,  which  might  almost 
merit  a  coarser  term,  was  the  manner  in  which  the 
Burgomaster  expressed  his  assent,  during  the  brief 
pause  that  succeeded  this  excuse  of  Ulrike.  The 
more  courteous  host  bowed  with  sufficient  respect, 
though,  even  by  his  manner,  it  was  evident  he  was 


200  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

getting  impatient  to  know  the  real  motive  of  the  in 
terruption. 

"  We  are  too  well  pleased  to  receive  thee,  to  re 
member  the  usages  and  rights  of  manhood,"  an 
swered  the  latter,  with  a  kindness  of  manner  that 
was  insensibly  extorted  by  the  winning  and  feminine 
qualities  of  her  he  addressed,  and  which,  in  some 
degree,  softened  the  pretensions  of  his  language — 
"  Proceed  with  thy  matter,  for  none  can  be  more 
ready  to  listen." 

"  Thou  hearest,  good  Ulrike !  the  Herr  Count  is 
willing  to  remember  thou  art  a  Burgomaster's  con 
sort  ;  and,  as  he  is  pleased  to  say,  we  are  truly  im 
patient  to  be  let  into  the  cause  of  thy  sudden  visit." 

The  thoughtful  Ulrike  received  this  encourage 
ment  like  one  accustomed  to  be  treated,  in  some 
measure,  as  a  being  inferior  in  capacity  and  force 
to  her  husband,  but  not  without  a  shade  like  that 
which  is  produced  by  unmerited  humiliation.  Smi 
ling — and  few,  even  in  early  and  attractive  youth, 
nad  so  sweet  an  expression,  when  her  countenance 
thus  gleamed,  whether  it  were  in  pleasure,  or  in 
melancholy — smiling,  as  it  might  be,  partly  in  female 
gentleness,  and  partly  in  sadness,  she  commenced 
the  purport  of  her  visit,  coming,  however,  to  her 
true  object  with  great  reserve  and  with  the  caution 
of  a  woman  accustomed  to  influence,  rather  than  to 
control. 

"  For  the  great  kindness  and  condescension  of  the 
Herr  Emich,  in  behalf  of  Heinrich  Frey,  and  of  all 
that  are  his,  no  one  is  more  grateful  than  I,"  she 
said ;  "  if  I  may  now  seem  to  trouble  him  with  the 
cone  erns  of  a  family  on  which  he  has  already  so 
freely  lavished  favors" 

"  And  friendship,  good  Ulrike." 

"  And  friendship,  since  you  permit  me,  noble 
Count,  to  use  the  word — but,  if  I  now  seem  to  tres 
pass  beyond  breeding,  by  troubling  your  mind  with 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  201 

ft  concern  that  is  so  remote  from  your  own  interests, 
I  trust  you  will  remember  a  mother's  tenderness, 
and  think  of  the  highborn  Ermengarde,  whose  anxi 
ety  for  her  own  offspring  may  furnish  some  excuse 
for  that  I  feel  for  mine." 

"  Hath  aught  befell  the  blooming  Meta  ]" 

"  God's  my  life !"  exclaimed  the  troubled  Hein- 
rich,  abandoning  his  much-prized  seat,  in  the  sud 
denness  of  paternal  alarm.  "  Hath  the  wench  suf 
fered  from  the  over-rich  eels  of  the  Rhine?  or  is 
she  massed  to  death  by  these  accursed  monks?" 

"  Our  child  is  well  in  the  body,  and,  the  blessed 
Maria  be  praised!  she  is  pure  and  innocent  in  mind," 
returned  Ulrike.  "  I  have  little  cause  for  aught  but 
gratitude  in  either  of  these  behalfs ; — but,  she  is  of 
an  age  when  girlish  fancies  become  unsettled,  and 
the  flexible  female  spirit  seeks  impressions  from 
others  than  those  whom  nature  hath  made  its  guar 
dians." 

"This  is  some  of  thy  usual  incomprehensibilities, 
good  woman,  and  language  that  is  not  easily  under 
stood  by  any  but  thyself.  The  noble  Graf  hath  no 
leisure  to  hunt  up  new  ideas  to  maintain  a  discourse 
in  subtleties.  Had  the  girl  indeed  tasted  too  freely 
of  the  rare  dish  which  the  honest  Burgomaster  of 
Mannheim  so  kindly  sent  me,  as  I  at  first  feared,  no 
doubt  the  means  to  cure  might  be  found  in  Harten- 
burg ;  but  thou  askest  too  much,  wife  of  mine,  when 
thouwouldest  have  any  but  thine  own  husband  enter 
into  all  the  cunning  niceties  that  sometimes  beset  thy 
imagination." 

"Nay,  Master  Heinrich,  here  may  be  more  ur 
gent  matter  than  thou  thinkest :  thy  dame  is  not  a 
woman  whose  opinions  are  to  be  neglected.  Wilt 
proceed  with  thy  recital,  good  Ulrike  ?" 

"  Our  child  is  at  that  period  of  life,"  continued  the 
mother,  too  much  accustomed  to  the  manner  of  her 
husband  to  permit  it  to  divert  her  thoughts  from 


202  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

their  main  intention — "when  the  young  of  every 
sort  begin  to  think  of  the  future.  It  is  a  principle 
that  God  hath  implanted,  Herr  Emich,  and  therefore 
it  is  for  good ;  and  we,  who  have  watched  over  the 
infancy  of  our  offspring  with  so  much  anxiety,  have 
trained  their  youth  with  so  much  care,  and  have  so 
often  trembled  for  their  noon-time,  must,  sooner  or 
later,  consent  to  loosen  the  sweet  ties  that  bind  us 
to  our  second  selves,  in  order  that  the  great  ends  of 
the  creation  shall  be  accomplished." 

"  Umph !"  ejaculated  Heinrich. 

"  Nay,  gentle  Ulrike,"  said  the  Count,  "  maternal 
love  hath  drawn  this  picture  in  stronger  colors  than 
may  be  necessary.  When  the  time  for  matrimony 
comes,  God's  my  life !  daughter  of  thine  and  honest 
Heinrich  Frey,  need  not  wear  maiden's  coif  a  day 
longer  than  is  necessary  to  do  suitable  reverence  to 
the  church.  Here  have  I  youths,  out  of  number, 
that  look  to  the  house  of  Leiningen  for  grace,  any 
one  of  whom  would  be  glad  to  wive  with  the  dam 
sel  I  should  name.  There  is  young  Friedrich  Zant- 
zinger,  the  orphan  of  my  last  deputy  in  the  villages 
of  the  plain;  he  is  a  lad  that  would  gladly  do  harder 
service  to  gain  my  love." 

"When "old  Friedrich  left  the  boy  fatherless,  he 
left  him  without  a  penny,"  drily  rejoined  the  Burgo 
master. 

"  That  is  a  fault  which  might  be  mended  ;  but  1 
have  others  that  can  be  named.  What  thinkest  thou 
of  the  eldest  son  of  my  Heidelburg  attorney,  worthy 
Conrad  Walter?" 

"  Curse  the  knave !  I  hate  him  from  my  heart." 

"  Thou  art  warm,  Master  Heinrich,  against  one 
that  I  both  trust  and  favor." 

"  I  cry  your  mercy,  Herr  Graf;  but  a  sudden 
rising  of  the  bile,  at  the  mention  of  the  fellow's  name, 
got  the  better  of  respect,"  answered  the  Burgomas 
ter,  with  more  moderation,  who,  as  he  saw  by  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  203 

owering  look  of  Emich's  brow,  the  necessity  of 
explanation,  continued,  with  rather  more  openness 
than  he  might  have  thought  necessary  under  circum 
stances  of  less  urgency:  "Perhaps  the  high-born 
Count  was  never  possessed  of  the  matter  of  our  late 
controversy  ?" 

"  Nay,  I  pretend  not  to  judge  my  friends, — " 
"  Let  but  my  lord  condescend  to  hear  me,  and  I 
leave  him  arbiter  between  us.  It  is  well  known  to 
you,  Herr  Emich,  that  collections  were  made,  and 
charity  asked,  in  behalf  of  the  peasants  who  suffered, 
the  past  year,  from  the  sudden  rising  of  the  Rhine. 
Among  others,  the  good  Christians  of  our  town  were 
importuned  for  succor;  and,  for  none  will  deny 
that  it  was  a  sad  visitation  of  Providence,  we  gave 
freely  as  became  our  several  means.  To  prevent 
improper  uses  of  the  money,  in  all  cases  of  liberal 
donations,  the  sealed  bond  of  the  donor,  at  a  near 
day,  was  asked  in  preference  to  the  silver ;  and  mine 
was  granted  for  the  fair  sum  of  twelve  crowns,  as 
a  poor  donation  suited  to  my  hopes  and  station.  It 
so  fell  out,  Herr  Graf,  that  those  charged  with  the 
distribution  had  occasion  for  their  money  before  the 
instruments  were  up ;  and  they  sent  agents  among 
us,  in  order  to  enter  into  such  negotiations  as  the 
cases  might  need.  Gold  was  scarce  at  the  moment ; 
and  because,  in  regaining  my  bond,  I  had  a  heedful 
regard  to  mine  own  interests,  the  misdealing  Conrad 
would  fain  transport  me,  like  a  thief,  before  the  au 
thorities  of  Heidelburg,  to  undergo  the  penalties  of 
a  usurer.  Son  of  his  shall  never  call  me  father, 
with  your  gracious  leave,  nobly-born  Count  of  Lei- 
ningen !" 

"This  truly  offereth  some  impediment  to  the 
affair;  but,  failing  of  young  Conrad,  I  have  others 
that  may  be  accounted  worthy  of  this  advantage. 
So  put  thy  maternal  heart  at  ease,  good  Ulrike,  and 
trust  to  my  active  friendship  to  dispose  of  the  girl." 


204  THE  HE1DENMAUER 

"  The  Burgomaster's  consort  had  been  a  patien 
listener  during  the  short  but  characteristic  digression 
of  her  husband.  Trained  in  the  opinions  of  the 
times,  she  did  not  possibly  endure  all  that  a  mother 
and  a  wife,  of  equal  native  sensibility,  might  now 
suffer  at  so  evident  a  debasement  of  her  sex ;  but  as 
the  laws  of  nature  are  permanent,  neither  did  sh0 
escape  a  pang  of  wounded  feeling  as  she  heard  the 
different  expedients  that  were  so  hastily  devised  for 
the  future  disposal  of  one  who  formed  her  chief  hap 
piness  in  life.  There  was  less  of  that  hectic  color, 
which  commonly  gave  a  lustre  to  eyes  that  were 
by  nature  rather  melancholy  than  bright,  and  her 
voice  was  fuller  of  emotion  than  before,  as  she  con 
tinued. 

"  For  all  this  heed  of  me  and  mine,  I  again  thank 
the  Herr  Count ;  but  there  is  a  power  that  is  stronger 
with  the  young  than  the  counsel  of  the  experienced, 
or  even  than  the  wishes  of  their  friends,"  she  said. 
"  My  intent,  in  intruding  myself  unbidden  into  this 
secret  conference,  was  to  say  that  Meta  had  listened 
to  the  voice  of  her  sympathies  more  than  to  the 
usages  of  her  class,  and  chosen  for  herself." 

The  Count  and  Heinrich  Frey  stared  at  the  speaker 
in  mute  surprise,  for  neither  fully  comprehended  her 
meaning ;  while  Ulrike  herself,  one  of  her  objects  be 
ing  accomplished,  in  having  made  this  long-dreaded 
declaration  in  the  presence  of  a  person  able  to  re 
press  the  anger  of  her  husband,  sate  silent,  inwardly 
trembling  for  the  consequences. 

"  Wilt  thou  explain  the  meaning  of  thy  worthy 
consort,  Herr  Heinrich  1"  abruptly  asked  the  Count. 

"  Zum  Henker !  you  ask  me  to  perform  an  office, 
Lord  Count,  that  might  better  fit  a  Benedictine,  or 
a  clerk.  When  Ulrike,  who  is  an  excellent  and 
obedient  companion  in  the  main,  once  gets  upon  the 
stilts  of  fancy,  I  never  pretend  to  be  able  to  raise 
an  idea  to  the  level  of  her  shoe-buckle.  Go  to !  thou 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  5205 

hast  well  spoken,  wife  of  mine ;  and  it  will  now  be 
better  to  seek  our  child,  lest  yonder  cavalier  of 
Rhodes  be  oiling  her  ears  with  the  unction  of  flat 
tery." 

"Nay,  by  my  house's  honors!  but  I  will  know 
more  of  this  matter,  thy  fair  and  virtuous  consort 
consenting,  Master  Heinrich.  Wilt  explain  thyself 
freely,  dame  ?" 

Whether  it  be  from  the  instinct  of  weakness  and 
delicacy,  or  only  the  fruit  of  precepts  constantly 
inculcated,  a  virtuous  woman  rarely  admits  the  ex 
istence  of  the  sentiment  of  love,  either  in  herself  or 
in  any  that  is  dear  to  her,  without  a  feeling  of  shame, 
and  possibly  not  without  an  intuitive  knowledge 
that  she  is  conceding  some  of  the  vantage-ground 
of  her  sex's  privileges. 

This  feeling  was  apparent  in  Ulrike,  by  the  slow 
but  complete  suffusion  of  her  cheek,  and  by  the  man 
ner  in  which  her  looks  avoided  those  of  Emich,  spite 
of  the  self-possession  and  calm  of  her  years. 

"  I  would  merely  say,  Herr  Emich,"  she  replied, 
"  that  Meta,  like  all  who  are  young  and  innocent, 
hath  fancied  an  image  of  perfection,  and  that  she 
hath  found  an  original  for  her  picture  in  a  youth  of 
the  Jaegerthal.  While  of  this  mind,  she  cannot,  in 
honesty  or  in  maidenly  respect,  become  the  bride 
of  any  other  than  him  she  loves." 

"  The  affair  grows  clearer,"  returned  the  Count, 

smiling  like  one  who  took  no  very  deep  interest  in 

vthe  matter;  "and  it  is  as  well  explained  as  heart 

could  wish — at  least,  heart  of  the  youth  in  question. 

What  thinkest  thou  of  this,  Herr  Burgomaster?' 

The  comprehension  of  Heinrich  Frey  could  not 
altogether  misconceive  so  plain  an  explanation,  and, 
since  the  moment  when  his  wife  had  ceased  speaking, 
he  sat  regarding  her  mild  but  troubled  countenance, 
with  Darted  lips  and  open  eyes,  like  a  man  that  first 
S 


206  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

learns  some  unlooked-for  intelligence  of  great  mo 
ment 

"Herr  Teufel!"  exclaimed  Heinrich,  taking  up 
the  last  words  of  the  Baron,  unconscious  of  the 
disrespect  of  what  he  did — "Art  talking  of  our  own 
natural-born  child?" 

"  Of  none  other.  In  whom  else  have  I  this  mother 
ly  affection? — or  for  what  other  can  I  feel  this  deep 
concern  V9 

"Dost  mean  that  Meta — my  daughter,  Meta 
Frey — hath  inclination  for  son  of  woman,  except  it 
may  be  the  natural  love  and  reverence  she  beareth 
her  own  father  ? — that  the  girl  hath  truant  and  free 
fancies?" 

"  I  say  nothing  to  give  this  opinion  of  Meta — my 
daughter,  Meta,"  returned  Ulrike,  with  womanly 
dignity.  "  Our  child  has  done  no  more  than  listened 
to  the  secret  whisperings  of  nature;  and,  in  yielding 
her  affections  to  a  youth  whom  she  hath  often  seen, 
and  long  known,  she  hath  merely  paid  an  homage 
to  merit,  that  the  most  virtuous  are  the  most  apt  to 
yield." 

"  Go  to,  Ulrike !  Thou  art  well  enough  among 
thy  household,  and  a  woman  for  whom  I  have  es 
teem  ;  but  these  visions  with  which  thou  art  so  often 
troubled,  give  thee  an  air,  at  times,  of  being  of  less 
discernment  than  thou  mayest  fairly  claim  to  be. 
Excuse  the  dame,  Herr  Count;  for,  though  her  own 
nusband,  and  a  little  weak  on  the  subject  of  her  in 
firmities  perhaps,  there  is  not  a  more  thrifty  manager, 
a  more  faithful  spouse,  or  a  kinder  mother  in  the 
Palatinate." 

"  Nay,  thou  little  need  say  this  to  me !  None 
know  the  worth  of  Ulrike  better ;  and,  I  may  add, 
few  respect  her  so  much.  It  were  well  to  hear 
further  of  this  matter,  Heinrich ;  for,  to  treat  thee  in 
candor,  there  may  lay  more  beneath  this  opening 
<rf  the  excellent  wife,  than  is  at  first  apparent 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  207 

Our  Meta  hath  seen  the  qualities  of  some  worthy 
youth  sooner  than  they  have  struck  the  eye  of  her 
quick-sighted  father,  thou  wouldst  say.  Is  it  not  so, 
dame?" 

"  I  would  say  that  the  heart  of  my  child  is  so 
closely  bound  in  that  of  another,  as  to  leave  little 
hope  of  happiness,  should  her  matrimonial  duties 
teach  her  to  forget  him." 

"  Thou  thinkest  then,  good  dame,  that  the  young 
fancies  of  a  female,  when  once  indulged,  are  not  to 
be  removed  by  the  offices  of  wife  and  mother  1 — 
that  a  caprice  of  the  imagination  is  stronger  than  a 
vow  made  at  the  altar?" 

Though  the  eyes  of  both  the  Count  and  the  Burgo 
master  were  riveted  on  the  fine  and  speaking  coun 
tenance  of  Ulrike,  the  volume  of  eloquent  nature, 
that  was  thus  opened  to  their  observation,  proved 
little  better  than  a  blank.  Strong  and  dramatic  exhi 
bitions  of  feeling  require  but  little  interpretation  for 
the  dullest  faculties ;  but  few  indeed  are  they  who 
are  capable  of  comprehending  the  secret  workings 
of  a  spirit  chastened  and  restrained  as  that  of  a 
virtuous,  but  unhappily  paired  woman.  There  is. 
perhaps,  no  one  aspect  of  human  nature  more  com 
mon-place,  or  more  easily  understood,  than  that 
which  is  hourly  offered  by  a  worldly-minded  and 
capricious  fair.  She  runs  her  little  career,  seeming 
ly  as  erratic  as  a  comet,  though,  in  truth,  her  course 
is  always  to  be  calculated  on  the  infallible  principles 
of  vanity  and  selfishness ;  but  no  secret  is  more  her 
metically  sealed  against  impertinent  and  vulgar 
curiosity,  than  the  elevated  sentiments  which  sustain 
tne  suffering  and  silent  female  who  is  truly  instinct 
with  the  high  qualities  of  her  sex. 

We  are  no  railer  at  the  domination  of  man  ;  for 
we  are  persuaded  that  he  who  would  wish  to  trans 
form  the  being  that  was  created  to  be  his  solacer 
and  companion — his  guide  in  moral  darkness,  and 


208  THE  HtilDENMAUElt 

his  sharer  in  sorrow  as  in  joy — into  a  worldly  com 
petitor,  changing  love  and  confidence  to  rivalry 
and  contention,  is  but  miserably  instructed  in  that 
sublime  ordinance  of  nature,  which  has  thus  sepa 
rated  the  highest  order  of  its  creation  into  two  great 
classes,  so  replete  with  mutual  consolation  and  hap 
piness. 

Had  the  wife  of  the  Burgomaster  arisen,  and,  in 
chosen  terms,  made  an  appeal  to  the  sympathies  of 
her  companions,  in  which  language  should  unite 
with  manner  to  produce  an  effect,  she  might  have 
been  understood,  as  the  every-day  reader  under 
stands  all  such  pictures  of  female  character;  but 
where  she  sat,  silent,  suffering,  and  meek,  she  was 
completely  concealed  from  any  means  of  compre 
hension  possessed  by  either.  Her  eye  did  not 
kindje,  for  long  and  patient  subordination  had  taught 
her  to  submit  to  the  misconstructions  of  her  husband; 
nor  scarcely  did  the  faint  color  of  her  cheek 
deepen,  since  the  load  at  her  heart  counteracted 
the  natural  impulses  of  pride  and  resentment. 

"  I  think,  Lord  Count,  that  when  an  innocent  and 
youthful  female  heart  yields  to  a  power  that  nature 
perhaps  has  made  irresistible,"  she  said,  "it,  at 
least,  merits  to  be  treated  tenderly.  Meta  hath 
few  fancies  of  the  kind  you  mention;  and  the  attach 
ment  she  feels,  though  doubtless  deepened  by  those 
colors  which  the  least  experienced  in  the  truths 
of  life  are  the  most  apt  to  paint,  is  but  the  natural 
consequence  of  much  association,  and  of  great  de 
serving  on  the  part  of  the  young  man." 

"  This  is  getting  to  be  plain,  Herr  Emich,"  said 
Heinrich  Frey,  pithily,  "  and  must  needs  be  looked 
to.  Wilt  condescend  to  name  the  youth  thou  meanest 
Ulriker 

"  Berchthold  Hintermayer." 

"  Berchthold  Teufelstein  !"  exclaimed  the  Burgo 
master,  laughing,  though  there  was  something  lik« 


THE  HEIDENMAUEK.  200 

a  secret  consciousness  of  danger  in  the  very  manner 
in  which  he  gave  loose  to  his  merriment.  "  A  pen 
niless  boy  is  truly  a  fit  husband  for  child  of  mine  !" 

The  quiet,  blue  eye  of  Ulrike  was  fastened  on  her 
nusband ;  but  she  averted  it  with  sensitive  haste, 
lest  it  might  betray  that  she  was  thinking  of  the  time 
when  her  own  father  had  consented  to  her  marriage 
with  one  nearly  as  poor,  merely  because  the  pene 
tration  of  the  parent  had  discovered  those  qualities 
of  prudence  and  gainful  industry  in  his  townsman, 
which  after-experience  so  fully  developed. 

"  He  is  not  rich,  Heinrich,"  was  her  answer ;  "  but 
he  is  worthy :  and  why  need  a  chill  be  thrown  on 
the  heart  of  Meta,  for  the  desire  of  that  which  she 
already  hath  in  sufficient  plenty  1" 

"  Hear  you  this,  Herr  Emich  1  My  wife  is  lifting 
the  curtain  of  privacy  before  your  respected  eyes, 
with  a  freedom  for  which  I  could  fain  cry  mercy." 

"  Berchthold  is  a  youth  I  love,"  gravely  observed 
the  Count. 

"  In  that  case,  I  shall  say  nothing  disrespectful  of 
the  lad,  who  is  a  worthy  forester,  and  in  all  things 
suited  to  his  service  in  the  family  of  Hartenburg  ; 
still,  he  is  but  a  forester,  and  a  very  penniless  one. 
I  had  not  thought  to  dispose  of  the  girl  so  soon,  for 
a  little  maidenly  leisure  does  none  of  the  sex  injury, 
Lord  Count ;  but  as  she  hath  her  head  set  upon  this 
Berchthold,  it  may  be  well  to  wrap  it  in  a  matron's 
coif,  by  way  of  filling  it  with  ideas  more  suited  to 
her  hopes." 

"  The  remedy  may  prove  fatal,  Heinrich !"  mildly 
observed  Ulrike,  raising  her  tearful  eye  to  the  ob 
stinate  features  of  the  Burgomaster 

"Nay,  I  ought  to  know  the  constitution  of  the 
family ;  what  has  so  well  succeeded  with  the  mother, 
cannot  harm  the  child." 

The  wife  did  not  reply.     But  Emich  of  Harten 
burg  had  been  deeply  interested  by  her  gentle 
S2 


210  THE  HEIDEJNMAUER. 

winning  manner,  for  he  had  watched  her  counte 
nance  closely,  and  understood  the  womanly  effort 
by  which  the  appearance  of  calm  was  preserved. 
Turning  to  the  Burgomaster,  he  laid  a  hand  on  his 
shoulder,  with  a  friendly  smile,  and  said — 

"  Herr  Heinrich,  thou  hast  a  fair  and  gentle  con 
sort;  but,  I  think,  too,  thou  hast  scarce  less  faith  in 
me  than  in  thy  wife.  Give  us  leave ;  I  would  fain 
reason  this  matter  with  Ulrike,  without  the  aid  of 
thy  influence." 

"  A  thousand  thanks  for  the  honor  to  me  and  mine, 
high-born  Count !  As  to  faith,  I  would  leave  the 
dame  a  year  on  Limburg-hill,  without  other  thought 
than  for  her  convenience ;  for  none  know  the  worth 
of  Ulrike  better,  though  she  is  so  difficult  to  com 
prehend  when  her  fancy  is  moulting.  Now  kiss  me, 
dame,  and  prithee  do  no  dishonor  to  the  Count's 
counsel." 

Thus  saying,  Heinrich  Frey  placed  a  hearty  kiss 
on  the  soft  cheek  that  the  obedient  Ulrike  freely 
offered,  and  left  his  wife  alone  with  the  noble,  without 
other  thought  than  of  the  high  distinction  that  was 
conferred  on  his  name.  The  manner  in  which  he 
prized  the  notice  of  the  Baron  was  sufficiently  mani 
fested  by  the  readiness  with  which  he  communicated 
the  circumstance  that  Emich  and  his  consort  were 
closeted,  on  an  affair  touching  the  interests  of  the 
family  of  Frey,  to  all  who  would  listen  to  his  tale. 


THE  HEIDENMAUEK.  211 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Ah  me !  for  aught  that  ever  I  could  read, 

Could  ever  hear  by  tales  or  history, 

The  course  of  true  love  never  did  run  smooth !" 

ShakspeareJ 

WHEN  the  door  was  closed  on  the  husband,  the 
Count  turned  to  the  wife,  and  continued  the  dis 
course. 

"I  love  young  Berchthold  Hintermayer,  good 
Ulrike,"  he  said,  "  and  would  gladly  be  of  aid  in 
this  affair,  which,  I  see  plainly,  thou  hast  much  at 
heart." 

"  The  mother  would  be  unnatural  that  had  not 
anxiety  for  the  happiness  of  her  child.  In  youth, 
Lord  Count,  we  gaze  before  us,  filling  the  dim  ascent 
with  scenes  drawn  after  our  wishes,  and  peopling 
the  world  with  the  beings  that  we  deem  most  neces 
sary  to  our  hopes ;  but  when  we  have  reached  the 
eminence,  whence  the  commencement  and  the  end 
of  life  can  both  be  plainly  seen,  do  we  first  find 
truth.  I  am  as  little  disposed  as  another  to  venture 
rashly  on  a  union  that  has  no  better  security  for  its 
fruits  than  a  blind  and  feverish  passion,  that  will  be 
certain  to  consume  itself  by  its  own  fierceness ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  none  who  have  known  life  as  I, 
can  be  disposed  to  consider  lightly  those  resem 
blances  of  taste  and  opinions,  those  gentle  touches 
of  character  and  disposition,  that  are  most  likely  to 
conduce  to  wedded  love." 

"  Thou  art  esteemed  lucky  in  thine  own  consort 
ing,  dame  1" 

"  God  hath  much  blessed  me  in  many  mercies — 
the  question  is  of  Meta,  my  Lord  Count." 

Ulrike,  spite  of  herself,  had  changed  color;  but, 
aided  by  the  manner  of  matronly  reserve  she  im 
mediately  assumed,  the  little  emotion  passed  with 


Si 2  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Emich  as  no  more  than  a  display  of  feminine  reserve, 
that  was  intended  to  repress  a  curiosity  he  had  no 
title  to  indulge. 

"  The  question  is  of  Meta,  in  sooth,"  he  answered ; 
"  and,  by  Saint  Benedict !  the  youth  shall  not  want 
for  friendly  and  free  support.  But  favor  should  have 
favor's  reward.  If  I  give  into  thy  humor  in  this 
concern  of  thy  daughter's  marriage,  good  Ulrike 
in  return,  I  expect  of  thee  a  service  on  which  I 
scarce  lay  less  stress." 

1  he  matron  raised  her  eyes  to  the  countenance 
of  her  companion,  in  surprise.  One  who  had  not  so 
uniformly  preserved  her  own  self-respect,  might 
have  doubted  of  what  she  heard ;  but  the  look  of 
the  Burgomaster's  wife  merely  conveyed  a  meaning 
of  curiosity  and  innocence. 

"  You  will  deserve  far  more  than  I  can  bestow, 
Herr  Count,  should  you  do  aught  to  secure  the  hap 
piness  of  Meta." 

"  Fair  wife,"  continued  Emich,  seating  himself, 
and  taking  her  hand,  with  the  freedom  which  his 
superior  rank  and  the  usages  of  the  country  allowed, 
•'  thou  knowest  the  manner  in  which  these  Benedic 
tines  have  so  long  vexed  our  valley ;  and,  being  so 
deeply  in  the  confidence  of  the  honest  Heinrich,  thou 
must  have  suspected  that,  wearied  of  their  insolence 
and  exactions,  we  have  seriously  bethought  us  of 
the  means  by  which  to  reduce  them  to  the  modesty 
that  becometh  their  godly  professions,  and  which 
might  better  justify  their  pretensions  ?" 

Emich  paused,  and  sat  intently  regarding  the  face 
of  his  quiet  listener.  He  had  unwittingly  touched 
upon  the  very  subject  that  had  been  the  chief  in 
ducement  with  the  Burgomaster's  wife  for  intruding 
upon  the  privacy  of  the  conspirators.  She  had  long 
suspected  their  intentions ;  and,  though  she  felt  deep 
care  for  the  future  lot  of  Meta,  and  had  gladly 
availed  herself  of  a  favorable  occasion  to  break 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  213 

the  ice  on  a  subject  that,  sooner  or  later,  must  be 
disclosed,  her  real  object  was  to  warn  Heinrich 
against  the  probable  consequences  of  the  plot.  In 
this  disposition,  then,  she  heard  the  Count  with  se 
cret  pleasure,  and  prepared  herself  to  reply,  in  the 
manner  she  had  long  meditated. 

"All  that  you  say,  Herr  Count,"  she  answered, 
"has  more  than  once  crossed  my  mind;  and  deeply 
have  I  grieved  fhat  those  I  so  love  and  honor  should 
thus  meditate  injury  to  the  altars  of  God — plan  des 
perate  devices  to  interrupt  his  praise." 

"  How !  dost  thou  call  the  whinings  of  these  knaves 
praise  of  aught  but  their  own  hypocrisy  ?"  interrupt 
ed  Emich.  "  Are  they  not  the  instigators  of  most 
of  our  sins,  by  their  example  ? — the  parents  of  all 
the  contention  that  troubles  the  neighborhood? — 
Consider,  good  Ulrike,  that  heaven  is  not  a  close 
into  which  souls  are  to  be  driven  blindfolded ;  but 
that  we,  who  are  of  the  flock,  have  at  least  the 
right,  as  we  have  the  means,  of  judging  whether 
the  shepherds  are  fit  for  their  office,  or  not." 

"  And  should  they  prove  unequal  to,  or  unworthy 
of  their  duties,  where  do  we  find  authority  to  do 
them  harm  ?" 

"God's  my  life!  good  wife;  are  our  swords 
nothing?  Are  a  noble  name,  an  ancient  and  high 
descent,  a  long-standing  claim  to  command,  and  a 
stout  heart,  nothing  ?" 

"Arrayed  against  the  Almighty,  they  count  as 
the  leaves  of  your  own  forest,  when  fluttering  in  a 
gale ; — less  than  the  flakes  of  snow  that  drive,  in 
winter,  against  the  battlements  of  your  strong  castle. 
Limburg  is  reared  in  honor  of  God;  and  he  that 
raises  a  hand  against  the  sacred  walls,  will  be  apt  to 
repent  the  rashness  in  woe.  If  there  are  unworthy 
ministers  at  its  altars,  there  are  also  those  that  are 
worthy;  and,  were  it  not  so,  the  mission  is  too  high 


214  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

to  be  sullied  by  any  frailty  of  those  who  abuse  their 
trusts." 

The  Count  was  disturbed;  for  Ulrike  spoke  earnest 
ly,  and  in  a  voice  of  sweet  persuasion.  He  leaned 
his  chin  upon  a  hand,  as  a  man  that  pondered  well 
on  the  hazards  of  his  enterprise. 

"  What  thinkest  thou,  Ulrike,  of  this  brother  of 
Wittenberg  "  he  at  length  asked.  "  Could  we  but 
fairly  make  him  out  honest  and  wis^,  ecclesiastical 
authority  for  lowering;  the  pride  of  Limburg  might 
be  had!" 

"  I  am  one  of  those  who  think  Brother  Luther 
honest;  I  am  also  one  of  those  who  think  him  mis 
taken:  but  even  he  is  far  from  urging  to  deeds  of 
violence." 

"  By  Saint  Benedict !  woman,  thou  hast  had  con 
verse  with  Father  Arnolph,  touching  this  question. 
Echo  does  not  answrer  sound  more  faithfully  than 
thou  repeatest  the  sentiments  of  the  Prior." 

"  It  is  not  strange  that  they  who  love  God  should 
feel  and  speak  alike  in  a  matter  affecting  his  honor. 
I  have  said  naught  to  Father  Arnolph,  nor  to  any 
other  of  the  Abbey,  of  your  designs ;  for  it  is  not 
easy  for  Ulrike  Frey  to  forget  she  is  both  wife  and 
mother.  But  I  have  prayed  often,  that  the  hearts  of 
those  who  contemplate  this  dangerous  sacrilege 
may  be  softened;  and  that,  for  their  own  safety, 
they  may  yet  see  the  evil  of  their  plot.  Believe  me, 
Count,  the  Dread  Being  who  is  worshipped  in  Lim- 
burg,  will  not  forget  to  avenge  himself  of  those  who 
despise  his  power !" 

"Thou  art  certain,  Ulrike,  that  thy  opinions  have 
weight  with  me,  for  since  childhood  have  I  known 
and  respected  thy  wisdom.  Nay,  had  there  not 
been  want  of  those  claims  which  birth  can  alone 
give,  thou  wouldst  now  be  sitting  in  this  castle  its 
mistress,  and  not  a  guest.  The  self-denial  which 
was  practised,  in  order  to  do  rny  father  pleasure 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  215 

cost  me  much  pain  for  many  years;  nor  did  I  rightly 
regain  my  freedom,  until  the  birth  of  my  eldest 
born  turned  my  hopes  towards  posterity." 

It  is  seldom  woman  hears  the  acknowledgment 
of  her  influence  with  the  stronger  sex,  without 
secret  satisfaction.  As  there  had  been  nothing  in 
the  attachment  to  which  the  Count  alluded,  to  alarm 
her  principles  or  to  offend  her  delicacy,  Ulrike 
listened  to  this  reference  to  the  feelings  and  incidents 
of  their  younger  days,  with  a  smile  that  produced 
an  effect  on  her  gentle  features,  which  resembled  the 
melancholy  light  which  illuminated  the  chapel  of 
the  religious  community  in  question;  or  which  was 
mild,  placid,  and,  if  we  may  be  permitted  an  ex 
pression  so  vague,  tinged  with  hues  of  the  past. 

"  We  are  no  longer  young,  Emich,"  she  answered, 
withdrawing  her  hand,  under  a  keen  impulse  of  its 
propriety — "  and  that  which  thou  speakest  belongs 
to  a  former  age.  But  if  thou  dost,  in  sooth,  enter 
tain  this  opinion  of  my  discretion,  I  have  never 
said  aught  of  thee  but  in  thy  honor.  There  were 
other  reasons  than  the  late  Count's  will,  why  I  could 
not  listen  to  thy  suit,  as  thou  wert  then  informed ; 
for  we  are  none  of  us  the  controllers  of  those  senti 
ments  which  so  much  depend  on  taste  or  accident" 

"  By  the  sainted  eleven  thousand  of  Koeln !  Hein- 
rich  Frey  was  scarce  a  youth  to  do  this  disadvan 
tage  to  the  heir  of  my  line  and  name !"  • 

"  Heinrich  Frey  received  my  troth,  as  the  nobl 
Ermengarde  received  thine,  Herr  von  Hartenburg," 
answered  Ulrike,  with  the  composure  of  one  whose 
feelings  had  never  been  interested  in  the  refusal  to 
which  she  alluded,  and  with  the  dignity  of  a  woman 
sensitively  alive  to  her  husband's  character.  "  By 
Heaven's  favor,  we  are  both  happier  than  if  wedded 
either  above  or  beneath  our  hopes.  But  if  thou 
couldst  deny  thyself  this  boon — for  such,  in  thy 
voung  fancies,  didst  thou  believe  mv  hand — to 


216  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

oblige  thy  father  of  earth,  wilt  thou  still  defy  him 
of  Heaven,  to  gratify  a  longing  less  excusable  ?" 

"  Go  to,  Ulrike ;  thou  pressest  me  out  of  reason , 
1  know  not  fairly  that  I  even  meditate  the  enterprise 
thou  meanest." 

"  Or,  in  other  language,  thou  art  not  yet  decided 
to  commit  the  sacrilege.  Before  thy  hand  strikes 
the  irretrievable  blow,  Herr  Count,  hear  one  that,  in 
thy  youth,  thou  professed  to  love,  and  who  yet  re 
members  thy  preference,  with  grateful  kindness." 

"  Thou  art  more  indulgent  as  a  matron  than  as  a 
maid!  This  is  the  first  word  of  pity  for  all  the 
sorrow  thou  causedst  my  youth,  that  hath  ever  es 
caped  thee !" 

"  Pity  is  a  term  it  would  ill  become  Ulrike  Hait- 
zinger  to  use  to  Emich  von  Leiningen.  I  said  grati 
tude,  Herr  Count ;  for  the  woman  that  pretendeth 
not  to  feel  this  sentiment  towards  the  honorable 
youth  that  has  preferred  her  to  all  others  of  her 
sex,  payeth  an  indifferent  compliment  to  her  own 
heart.  I  never  disavowed  that  thy  suit  gave  me 
both  gratification  and  sorrow — gratification,  that 
one  of  thy  hopes  could  find  sufficient  in  me  to  justi 
fy  thy  choice ;  sorrow,  that  thou  wert  necessarily 
disappointed." 

"And  had  our  births  been  nearer  an  equality, 
gentle  Ulrike,  hadst  thou,  like  me,  come  of  noble 
parentage,  or  I,  like  thee,  been  of  more  humble 
origin,  couldst  thou,  in  sooth,  have  found,  in  thy 
heart,  the  excuse  for  a  different  answer  ?" 

"  We  are  here  to  discuss  other  matters,  Herr  von 
Hartenburg,  than  these  recollections  of  childish 
feelings." 

"  God's  my  life !  Callest  thou  the  pain  of  disappoint 
ed  affection  a  childish  sorrow?  Thou  wert  ever 
tranquil  in  temper,  and  too  much  disposed  to  in 
difference  on  the  subject  of  any  warmth  of  heart, 
beyond  the  cold  duties  of  family  regard." 


THE  HEIDENMAtER.  217 

*  This  may  be  my  fault,  if  you  will,  Count  Emich, 
for*  I  esteem  it  an  advantage  to  feel  strongest  where 
duty  most  directs  the  affections." 

"  I  remember  thy  final  answer,  made  through  thy 
friend  young  Berchthold's  mother — I  owe  the  lad 
no  grace  for  the  boon,  were  justice  done — but  thou 
answered,  that  the  daughter  of  a  Burgomaster  was 
unfit  to  be  the  partner  of  a  Baron ;  and  thou  prayedst 
me  to  render  all  duty  to  the  Count  my  father,  that 
his  blessmg  might  lighten  the  disappointment  Now, 
were  the  truth  known,  that  reply  cost  thee  no  more 
than  a  simple  refusal  to  one  of  thy  maidens  of  some 
trifling  grace !" 

"  Were  the  truth  known,  Emich,  it  would  tell  a 
different  tale.  Thou  wert  then  young,  and,  though 
violent  and  hot-headed,  not  without  many  manly 
virtues ;  and  thou  greatly  overratest  the  power  of  a 
thoughtful  girl,  if  thou  supposest  she  would  gladly 
give  pain,  where  she  has  received  naught  but  es 
teem." 

"  And  had  I  been  thy  neighbor's  child — or  wert 
thou  the  daughter  of  some  equal  of  the  Empire  ? — " 

"  In  that  case,  Lord  Count,  the  answer  would  have 
been  the  same,"  said  the  other,  firmly,  though  her 
countenance  evidently  lost  its  tranquil  brightness  in 
a  transient  cloud :  "  The  heart  of  Ulrike  Haitzinger 
spoke  in  that  reply,  as  well  as  her  prudence." 

"  God's  truth !  thou  art  of  cutting  simplicity !" 
cried  the  Count,  rising  abruptly,  and  losing  the  ex 
pression  of  gentleness  that  the  recollection  of  his 
better  days  and  youthful  feelings  had  given  his  fea 
tures,  in  their  usual  hardened  character.  "  Thou 
forgettest,  Frau  Frey,  that  I  am  a  poor  Count  of 
Leiningen !" 

"  If  I  have  failed  in  meet  respect,"  returned  the 
mild  Ulrike,  "  I  am  now  reminded  of  the  fault,  and 
will  sin  no  more  " 

T 


218  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Nay,  I  \i  ould  say  naught  unkind  or  ungentle — 
but  thou  bruised  my  spirit,  with  a  sore  answer.  We 
were  conversing  of  the  accursed  monks,  too,  and 
blood  gets  hot  at  the  mention  of  their  names.  Thou 
thinkest,  then,  my  excellent  neighbor,  that,  as  Chris 
tians,  we  are  bound  to  submit  to  all  the  exaction* 
of  these  reverend  knaves,  and  that  to  presume  to 
right  ourselves,  is  flying  in  the  face  of  Heaven's 
authority  V 

"  You  put  the  case  in  your  own  humor,  Count. 
I  have  said  naught  of  abject  forbearance,  or  of  un 
necessary  submission.  If  the  Limburg  monks  are 
forgetful  of  their  vows,  the  question  is  of  their  own 
safety : — as  for  us,  we  have  to  look  that  we  do  no 
thing  wrongful  of  itself,  or  nothing  that  may  be  ac 
counted  disrespectful  to  Him  we  worship" 

"Prithee,  good  Ulrike,"  interrupted  Emich,  resum 
ing  his  seat,  in  the  familiar  manner  he  had  used  at 
the  commencement  of  the  dialogue,  "  let  us  converse, 
in  freedom,  of  this  inclination  of  thy  child.  I  love 
young  Berchthold,  and  would  fain  do  him  service, 
were  the  means  offering ;  but  I  greatly  fear  we 
shall  have  difficulty  in  bringing  Heinrich  to  a  com 
plying  state  of  mind.'* 

"  The  apprehension  of  his  refusal  hath  caused  me 
much  uneasiness,  Herr  von  Hartenburg,"  returned 
the  tender  mother  ;  "  for  the  Burgomaster  is  not  one 
of  those  who  change  their  opinions  readily.  The 
over-zealous  persuasion  of  friends  increases  his  faith 
in  himself,  at  times,  instead  of  softening  those  reso 
lutions  which  the  wisest  of  us  are  apt  to  form  hastily 
and  without  thought." 

"  This  quality  of  thy  excellent  consort  hath  not 
escaped  me.  But  Heinrich  Frey  was  wived  so  hap 
pily  himself,  and  with  so  little  claim  to  riches  on  his 
own  part,  that  he  should  not,  in  reason,  bear  too 
heavily  on  a  youth  that  might  have  known  better 
days,  but  for  a  hard  fortune  befalling  his  parents. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  219 

He  that  hath  been  poor,  should  have  respect  for 
poverty  in  others." 

"  I  fear  that  such  is  not  the  working  of  human 
nature,"  answered  the  thoughtful  wife,  nearly  un 
conscious  of  what  she  uttered.  "  Our  experience 
in  life  would  prove  that  they  who  have  risen  show 
the  least  tolerance  for  those  who  tarry  in  the  rear ; 
and,  as  none  prize  the  gifts  of  rank  and  consequence 
so  much  as  they  to  whom  they  are  novelties,  we 
ought  not  to  expect  the  successful  man  too  soon  to 
forget  the  longings  he  felt  when  in  adversity,  nor 
him  to  whom  honors  are  new,  to  look  too  closely 
into  their  vanity." 

"  Nay,  Heinrich  is  not  so  young  in  consideration, 
or  so  new  to  fortune,  as  to  be  classed  with  these." 

"Heinrich!"  exclaimed  the  matron,  across  whose 
chaste  brow  there  stole  a  crimson  suffusion,  that 
resembled  the  flush  of  even  upon  the  snowy  peaks 
of  the  Alps — "  There  is  not  question,  here,  of  Hein 
rich  Frey !" 

The  Count  smiled  till  the  mustachios  curled  upon 
his  brown  cheeks. 

"  Thou  art  right,"  he  answered  courteously ;  "  it 
is  in  Berchthold  and  Meta  that  we  are  most  inte 
rested.  I  think  I  see  the  means  of  accomplishing 
all  we  wish  in  their  behalf,  and  means  that  offer  so 
readily  as  to  wear  the  air  of  being  a  gift  of  Provi 
dence." 

"  They  are  only  the  more  welcome  for  their  char 
acter  " 

"  Thou  knowest,  Ulrike,  that  I  am  greatly  bur- 
thened  with  charges  that  lay  heavily  on  all  of  my  rank. 
Ermengarde  hath  most  of  the  qualities  of  her  station, 
and  a  love  of  splendor  that  is  costly ;  besides,  this 
outfit  of  my  young  heir,  who  travels  with  the  Em 
peror,  hath  much  drained  me  of  means,  of  late; 
else  would  I  offer,  of  pure  love  for  thee  and  thine 
that  which  would  make  the  connexion  acceptable  to 


220  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Hemrich.  In  this  strait,  borne  down,  as  we  all  are 
by  the  war,  and  saddled  with  the  cost  of  keeping 
on  foot  so  many  men  in  Hartenburg.  I  see  no  other 
present  means  than  that  I  have  just  mentioned." 

"  Or  have  not  mentioned ;  for,  in  the  desire  to 
prove  your  inability  to  serve  the  youth,  nothing  hath 
yet  been  said  of  this  favorable  chance  offered  by 
Providence." 

"  I  cry  thy  mercy !  Thou  hast  rightly  judged  me, 
Ulrike,  for  I  feel  it  a  reproach  to  be  able  to  do  nothing 
for  one  I  so  esteem." 

"  Put  no  undue  meaning  on  my  words,"  interrupted 
the  matron,  smiling  like  one  who  wished  to  reassure 
her  companion.  "  It  has  never  entered  my  thoughts 
that  the  Counts  of  Leiningen  are  bound  to  portion 
all  who  serve  them,  according  to  their  several  hopes. 
It  would  lighten  the  heaviest  purse  in  the  Palatinate, 
Herr  Emich,  to  furnish  an  equal  marriage-gift  to 
that  which  may  be  the  share  of  Meta  Frey." 

"  None  know  this  better  than  I.  Heinrich  and  I 
have  often  discoursed  of  the  affair,  and  I  could  fain 
wish  there  existed  no  inequality  of  rank — but  this  is 
idle,  and  we  will  talk  only  of  Berchthold  and  his 
hopes.  Thou  are  aware,  Ulrike,  that  there  are 
heavy  issues  between  me  and  the  brotherhood  con 
cerning  certain  dues,  not  only  in  the  valley,  but  on 
the  plain,  and  that  the  contest  fairly  settled  in  my 
favor  will  much  increase  my  revenues.  Now  were 
this  unhappy  dissension  decided  as  I  could  wish,  it 
would  not  only  be  in  my  power,  but  it  would  become 
my  wish,  to  bestow  such  grace  on  all  my  principal 
followers,  and  on  none  so  much  as  on  Berchthold, 
as  might  leave  a  favorable  opinion  of  my  bounty. 
We  want  but  this  affair  rightly  settled  to  possess  the 
means  of  winning  Heinrich  to  our  desires." 

"  Could  this  be  honestly  done,  my  blessing  on  him 
that  shall  effect  it !" 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  thee  say  this,  good  Ulrike. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  22 

Thou,  of  all  others,  mayest  be  most  useful  in  the 
matter.  Heinrich  and  I  have  well  nigh  decided  on 
the  fitness  of  disturbing  the  monks  in  their  riotous 
abominations" 

"  The  words  are  strong,  when  applied  to  profess 
ed  Benedictines !" 

"  By  the  holy  Magi !  they  are  more  than  merited. 
Here,  has  not  the  day  twice  turned  since  I  had  Boni- 
facius  himself  weltering  in  wine  beneath  the  roof  of 
Hartenburg,  an'  he  had  been  a  roisterer  of  a  sub 
urb  !  Bonifacius,  Limburg's  Abbot,  have  I  seen  in 
this  unfit  condition,  Frau  Ulrike,  within  mine  own 
good  castle  walls !" 

"  And  in  thine  own  good  castle  company,  Herr 
Emich?" 

"  Dost  thou  make  no  difference  between  Baron 
and  Monk  ?  Am  I  a  sworn  professor  of  godliness, 
a  shaven  crown,  or  one  that  looketh  to  be  accounted 
better  than  his  fellows?  That  I  am  noble  is  the 
chance  of  fortune,  and  as  such  I  receive  and  profit 
by  the  advantage,  though,  I  trust,  always  in  fitting 
reason;  but  no  man  can  say  that  Emich  of  Leinin- 
gen  pretends  aught  to  the  especial  virtues  of  a 
monkish  character.  We  that  are  modest  may  claim 
to  indulge  our  failings,  but  justice  should  heavily 
visit  him  that  sins  under  a  cloak  of  sanctity." 

"  I  know  not  that  thy  exception  may  avail  thee  in 
the  end.  But  thou  wouldest  say  something  to  Bercht- 
hold  Hintermayer's  advantage? — " 

"  That  would  I,  and  right  heartily.  Could  Hein 
rich  be  brought  to  a  firm  mind,  that  I  might  count 
on  the  support  of  the  townsmen,  these  reprobates 
in  cowls  should  be  quickly  disposed  of;  and,  as  of 
necessity,  my  dues  would  be  much  augmented,  by 
clothing  Berchthold  with  a  deputy's  authority  over 
the  recovered  fields  and  villages,  he  should  so  gain 
in  men's  respect,  as  to  soften  the  reluctance  of  the 
hardest-hearted  Burgomaster  in  all  Germany." 
T2 


222  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  And  in  what  manner  dost  thou  look  to  me,  in 
effecting  this  object  ?" 

"  One  of  thy  understanding  need  scarce  put  the 
question.  Thou  hast  been  long  a  wife,  Ulrike,  and 
art  skilled  in  the  persuasions  of  thy  sex.  I  know 
not  thy  practice  with  Heinrich;  but  when  Ermen- 
garde  would  have  her  way,  spite  of  her  husband's 
inclinations,  she  has  various  manners  of  coming  to 
her  wishes.  To-day  she  is  smiling,  to-morrow  silent ; 
now  she  fondles,  and  then  she  frowns ;  and,  most  of 
all,  is  she  ready  in  seizing  the  moments  of  idle 
confidence  to  press  on  my  unprepared  reason  the 
arguments  of  kisses  and  coquetry." 

"It  were  idle  to  say  I  do  not  understand  you, 
Herr  von  Hartenburg.  I  wish  not  to  raise  the  cur 
tain  of  your  domestic  confidence,  nor  do  I  feel  dis 
posed  that  any  should  presume  to  lift  mine.  Heinrich 
and  I  pursue  our  several  ways,  as  each  deems 
right,  though,  I  trust,  always  with  the  harmony  of 
wedded  interests,  and  I  am  little  practised  in  the 
influence  you  mention.  But,  dear  as  Meta  is  to  the 
heart  of  her  mother — and  surely  no  shoot  from  the 
parent  stem  ever  gave  fonder  hopes,  or  justified 
more  tender  regard" — Ulrike  folded  her  hands,  and 
turned  her  meek  blue  eyes  to  heaven — "  much  as  I 
esteem  young  Berchthold,  who  is  the  child  of  my 
youth's  nearest  friend ;  and  gladly  as  I  would  see 
their  young  hearts  for  ever  bound  up  in  the  same 
ties  of  family  concord  and  matrimonial  love,  ths 
common  parents  of  lisping  laughing  babes  that 
should  Cluster  at  my  knee,  giving  the  evening  of  life 
some  compensation  for  the  chill  of  its  noon-tide — 
rather  than  aid  thee  in  this  unhallowed  design? 
rather  than  do  aught,  even  in  rebellious  thought^ 
against  the  altars  of  my  God;  rather  than  set  my 
selfishness  in  array  against  his  dread  power,  oP 
fancy  wish  of  mine  can  prove  excuse  for  sacrilege 
— I  could  follow  the  girl  to  her  grave,  with  a 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  223 

tearless  eye,  and  place  my  own  head  by  her  side, 
without  regret  for  that  calm  decline  which,  when 
the  weary  probation  of  life  is  ended,  Heaven  grants 
to  the  deserving." 

The  Count  of  Leiningen  recoiled  at  the  energy 
with  which  his  companion  spoke;  for  none  are  so 
commanding  as  the  mild  when  aroused  to  resistance, 
or  so  authoritative  as  the  good  when  required  to 
exhibit  the  beauty  of  their  principles.  He  was  dis 
appointed  ;  but,  though  a  sort  of  instinct  warned  him 
that  he  had  no  further  hopes  of  gaining  the  assist 
ance  of  Ulrike,  and,  almost  without  knowing  it 
himself,  the  respect  which  he  had  always  entertained 
for  his  companion  was  increased.  Taking  the  hand 
she  extended  to  him,  in  amity,  the  moment  her  ex 
citement  had  a  little  abated,  he  was  about  to  reply, 
when  a  footstep  in  the  adjoining  room,  and  a  timid 
tap  at  the  door,  interrupted  him. 

"Thou  canst  enter,"  said  the  Baron,  believing 
that  one  of  the  castle  maidens  was  without,  and 
glad  for  the  relief. 

"  A  million  of  thanks  for  the  honor,"  returned  Use, 
curtsying  to  the  floor  as  she  availed  herself  of  the 
privilege.  "  This  is  the  first  time  so  great  a  favor 
ever  befell  me  in  Hartenburg,  though,  when  a  girl, 
as  it  might  be  a  ruddy  maiden  like  our  Meta,  I  once 
was  admitted  to  a  closet  in  Heidelburg.  There  was 
f,  and  the  late  Burgomaster,  Ulrike's  father,  and 
the  good  wife,  her  mother,  on  a  junketing,  in  our 
young  days,  to  see  the  curiosities  of  the  Elector's 
Palace,  and  we  had  visited  the  tun" 

"  Thou  art  sent  to  seek  me  ?"  interrupted  the  mis 
tress.  "Hath  Meta  need  of  her  mother?" 

"  That  may  be  always  said  of  a  certainty,  for 

g'rls  of  that  age  are  like  the  young  of  the  nest, 
err  Count,  who  are  ever  in  danger  of  breaking 
their  necks,  if  they  take  a  hasty  flight,  without  the 
example  of  the  old  to  give  them  prudence  as  well  as 


224  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

courage.  Twenty  times  each  day — I  know  not  an* 
it  be  not  fifty — do  I  say  to  our  Meta,  'Do  as  thou 
wilt,  child,  an'  thou  dost  nothing  amiss/  I  hold  it  to  be 
wrongful  to  curb  young  humors  so  long  as  they  are 
innocent;  and  therefore  do  I  say,  that  kindness  is  a 
better  rod  than  anger;  and,  in  this  reproving  and 
chastening  manner,  Herr  von  Hartenburg,  have  I 
reared  both  Meta  and  her  mother.  Well,  here  you 
both  are,  in  friendly  communion,  an'  you  were 
children  of  the  same  cradle ! — and  Heinrich  Frey 
is  yon,  without,  tasting  the  rhenish  with  the  two 
churchmen  that  infect  the  castle" 

"  Thou  wouldst  surely  say  frequent,  good  nurse." 

"  What  matters  a  word,  child  !  Infect  or  frequent 
are  much  the  same,  when  one  speaketh  of  the  gentle 
and  gay !  I  remember  ye  both  young  and  handsome, 
and  a  pair  that  the  whole  town  of  Duerckheim  said 
ought  never  to  be  parted ;  for  if  one  was  noble,  the 
other  was  good;  if  one  was  strong  and  valiant,  the 
other  was  fair  and  virtuous ;  but  the  ways  of  the 
world  led  ye  on  different  paths,  and  Heaven  forbid 
that  I  should  say  aught  against  ways  that  so  many 
travel !" 

"  And  thou  hast  left  Meta  with  those  that  infect 
the  castle,  to  come  and  say  this  ?" 

"  Naught  like  it.  It  is  true  I  let  the  girl  listen  to 
a  few  of  their  idle  words,  for  without  experience  a 
maiden  may  not  know  when  to  repulse  an  improper 
freedom ;  but  for  any  levity  to  escape  my  eye,  were 
as  impossible  as  for  my  Lord  Count  to  fail  in  duty 
to  the  Limburg  altars.  No,  I  complain  not  of  the 
stranger  nobles ;  for  while  he  of  Rhodes  did  many 
gentle  offices  in  behalf  of  Meta,  the  reverend  Abbe 
held  me  in  discourse  touching  this  heresy  of  Luther, 
and,  I  warrant  you,  ecclesiastic  as  he  is,  he  went 
not  away  the  worse  for  my  opinion  of  the  schismatic ! 
We  had  goodly  discourse  on  the  dangers  and  tribu 
lations  of  the  times,  and  might  have  had  much 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  225 

earning  between  us,  but  for  young  Berchthold,  who 
fancied  himself  beating  the  forest,  by  the  manner 
in  which  he  threshed  among  the  old  armor  of  the 
hall,  disturbing  all  present  with  the  idle  pretence  of 
seeking  a  cross-bow  for  the  Count's  pleasure  in  the 
morning;  as  if  the  Herr  Count  would  have  hunted 
with  less  satisfaction  because  there  were  wise  words 
nttered  in  his  halls !  The  Hintermayers  are  a  race 
I  love,  but  this  youth  seemeth  to  be  wanting  of 
respect  for  years." 

'  And  what  hast  done  with  my  child  ?" 
"  Thou  knowest  it  was  thy  desire  she  should  say 
a  few  greetings  to  the  fallen  Lottchen;  and  when  I 
thought  the  wandering  cavalier  had  had  his  say,  I 
beckoned  the  child  away,  in  order  that  she  might 
go  to  the  hamlet  on  that  errand.  She  will  be 
none  the  worse  for  the  discourse  with  that  free 
cavalier,  for  naught  so  quickens  virtue  of  the  pure 
stamp  as  a  little  contamination  with  vice — it  is  like 
the  base  metal  they  put  in  gold,  to  make  the  precious 
ore  hard  and  able  to  undergo  many  hands." 

"  Thou  hast  not  suffered  Meta  to  go  unattended?" 
"  Didst  ever  know  me  fail  in  duty]  Thy  motherly 
heart  is  quick  to  take  alarm,  like  the  bird  fluttering 
at  each  leaf  that  rustles.  Not  I,  in  sooth :  I  sent  the 
vain  Gisela  to  keep  her  company,  and  whispered  our 
Meta  well,  as  they  departed,  not  to  fail  to  draw  in 
struction  from  her  companion's  light  discourse, 
which,  I  will  warrant,  turns  on  naught  else  but  the 
gallantries  of  these  strangers.  Oh !  leave  old  Use 
to  profit  by  any  thing  edifying  that  may  turn  up,  in 
the  way  of  accident !  I  that  never  yet  lost  a  good 
moral  for  want  of  pushing  an  opportunity !  and  here 
stands  Ulrike  as  proof  of  what  1  have  done.  I  owe 
you  excuses,  Herr  Emich,  for  sending  away  your 
forester ;  but  the  boy  vexed  me  with  his  clatter 
among  the  shields  and  arquebuses,  and,  in  order  to 
give  him  a  wholesome  lesson  in  silence,  I  sent  him 


226  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

to  see  Meta  safe  to  his  mother's  door,  under  the  pre 
tence  of  its  being  necessary  to  have  a  manly  arm 
present,  to  beat  off  the  barking  curs  of  the  hamlet." 

"  Does  Heinrich  know  this  ?" 

"  In  sooth,  he  is  so  beset  with  thy  honor  in  being 
closeted  with  my  Lord  the  Count,  that  he  does  little 
besides  talk  of  it,  and  take  his  cup.  When  the  child 
was  thus  cared  for,  by  the  one  who  first  held  her  in 
arms,  and  one,  too,  whose  experience  is  little  short 
of  threescore  and  fourteen,  I  saw  not  the  necessity 
of  calling  him  from  his  pleasures." 

Ulrike  smiled,  and  turning  to  the  Count,  who  had 
been  so  much  lost  in  thought  as  to  give  little  heed 
to  the  words  of  the  nurse,  she  offered  him  her  hand, 
and  they  left  the  closet  in  company 


THE    HEIDENMAUEIt.  227 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

*  Ah,  now  soft  blushes  tinge  her  cheeks, 
And  mantle  on  her  neck  of  snow. ' 

Rogers. 

THE  cottage  of  Lottchen,  the  mother  of  Bercht 
nold,  was  distinguished  from  the  other  habitations  of 
the  hamlet,  only  by  its  greater  neatness,  and  by  that 
air  of  superior  comfort  which  depends  chiefly  on 
taste  and  habit,  and  of  which  poverty  itself  can 
scarcely  deprive  those  who  have  been  educated  in  the 
usages  and  opinions  of  a  higher  caste.  It  stood  a 
little  apart  from  the  general  cluster  of  humble  roofs; 
and,  in  addition  to  its  other  marks  of  superiority,  it 
possessed  the  advantage  of  a  small  inclosure,  by 
which  it  was  partially  removed  from  the  publicity 
and  noise  that  rob  most  of  the  villages  and  hamlets 
of  Europe  of  a  rural  character. 

We  have  had  frequent  occasions  to  allude  to  the 
difficulty  of  conveying  accurate  ideas  of  positive 
things,  or  even  of  moral  and  political  truths,  while 
using  the  terms  which  use  has.  appropriated  to  the 
two  hemispheres,  but  which  are  liable  to  so  much 
qualification  in  their  respective  meanings.  What  is 
comfort' in  one  country  would  be  thought  great  dis 
comfort  in  another,  and  even  the  two  higher  degrees 
of  comparison  must  always  be  understood  subject 
to  a  right  knowledge  of  their  positive  qualities.  Thus 
most  beautiful  conveys  nothing  clear,  unless  we 
can  agree  on  what  is  beautiful;  while  neatness  and 
elegance,  and  even  size,  taken  in  their  popular  sig 
nifications,  become  purely  terms  of  local  conven- 


228  THE  HEIUENMAUER. 

tion.  Were  we  to  say  that  the  cottage  of  Lottchen 
Hintermayer  resembled,  in  the  least,  one  of  those 
white  arid  spotless  dwellings,  with  its  Venetian 
blinds  and  pillared  piazzas,  its  grassy  court  in  front, 
and  its  garden  teeming  with  golden  fruit  in  the  rear 
its  acacias  and  willows  shading  the  low  roof,  and 
its  shrubbery  exhaling  the  odors  that  a  generous 
sun  can  extract,  we  should  give  such  a  picture  to 
the  reader  as  Europe  nowhere  presents — nowhere, 
because  in  those  regions  in  which  nature  has  been 
bountiful,  man  has  been  held  in  mental  duress ;  and 
in  those  in  which  man  is  sufficiently  advanced  and 
free  to  require  the  indulgences  we  have  named,  na 
ture  denies  the  boons  so  necessary  to  their  existence. 
Here,  and  here  only,  do  those  whom  fortune  has 
not  smiled  upon,  possess  the  union  of  comfort,  space, 
retirement,  and  luxury,  which  depend  on  the  causes 
named,  for  it  is  only  here  that  are  found  the  habits 
necessary  to  their  production,  in  conjunction  with 
the  required  climate  and  a  cheapness  of  material 
and  land,  to  place  the  whole  within  the  reach  of 
those  who  are  not  affluent.  We  wish,  therefore,  to 
be  understood  as  speaking,  at  all  times,  under  the 
consciousness  of  this  difference  in  the  value  of  terms, 
for,  without  such  an  understanding,  there  will  be 
little  intelligence  between  us  and  our  countrymen. 

We  have  made  this  explanation,  lest  the  reader 
might  fancy  some  affinity  between  the  hamlet  of 
Hartenburg  and  one  in  the  older  settlements  of  the 
Union.  The  remoteness  of  the  period  might  indeed 
give  some  reason  to  suspect  such  a  resemblance, 
but  were  the  tale  one  of  our  own  times,  it  would  be 
scarcely  probable.  The  Germans,  like  all  the  more 
northern  nations,  are  neat,  in  proportion  to  theii 
several  degrees  of  civilization ;  and  the  great  fre 
quency  of  the  little  capitals  which  dot  its  surface, 
and  which  have  all  been,  more  or  less,  beautified  by 
their  respective  princes,  has  caused  it  to  possess  a 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  229 

greater  number  of  spacious  and  cleanly  towns,  in 
proportion  to  its  population,  than  are  to  be  met  with 
in  most  of  the  other  countries  of  the  Euiopean  con 
tinent  ;  but,  as  elsewhere  in  that  quarter  of  the  world, 
the  poor  are  poor  indeed. 

The  little  cluster  of  houses  that  were  grouped  be 
neath  the  salient  bastions  of  Hartenburg,  had  the 
general  character  of  poverty  and  humility  which 
still  belongs  to  nearly  all  such  hamlets.  The  build 
ings  were  constructed  of  timber  and  mud,  with 
thatched  roofs,  and  openings  to  which,  in  that  age, 
glass  was  a  stranger.  In  speaking  of  the  comfort 
of  the  dwelling  of  Lottchen,  we  wish  to  say  little 
more  than  that  it  was  superior  to  its  fellows  in  these 
particulars,  and  that  it  had  the  additional  merit  of 
faultless  neatness.  The  furniture,  however,  gave 
much  stronger  evidence  of  the  former  condition  of 
its  tenant.  Enough  of  this  description  of  property 
had  been  saved  from  the  wreck  of  her  husband's 
fortunes,  to  leave  before  the  eyes  of  its  mistress  these 
traces  of  happier  days — one  of  those  melancholy 
consolations  in  adversity  which  are  common  among 
those  whose  fall  has  been  broken  by  some  light  cir 
cumstances  of  mitigation,  and  which,  as  monitors 
to  delicacy  and  tenderness,  make  touching  appeals 
to  the  recollections  of  the  spectator.  But  Bercht- 
hold's  mother  had  still  better  claims  to  the  respect 
of  those  who  came  beneath  her  humble  lintel.  As 
we  have  already  said,  she  had  been  the  bosom  friend 
of  Ulrike  in  early  youth,  and,  by  education  and 
character,  she  was  still  every  way  worthy  of  hold 
ing  so  near  a  trust  with  the  wife  of  the  Burgomas 
ter.  The  allowance  of  her  son  was  small  in  money, 
but  the  Count  permitted  his  forester  to  use  the  game 
freely ;  and,  as  German  frugality  left  her  mistress 
of  the  wardrobes  of  several  generations,  the  re 
spectable  matron  had  never  known  absolute  want, 
and  was  at  all  times  ab.e  to  make  such  a  persona] 
U 


230  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

appearance  as  better  suited  her  former  than  her 
present  means.  In  addition  to  these  advantages, 
Ulrike  never  visited  the  Jaegerthal  without  thought 
of  her  friend's  necessities;  and  full  often,  at  times 
and  seasons  when  this  sacred  duty  could  not  be 
performed  in  person,  was  Use  dispatched  to  the  ham 
let  as  the  substitute  of  her  considerate  and  affection 
ate  mistress. 

The  cavalcade  from  the  Abbey  had,  of  necessity, 
passed  the  door  of  Lottchen,  and  she  was  fully 
aware  of  the  intended  visit.  When,  therefore,  Meta, 
blooming  and  happy,  entered  the  cottage,  attended 
by  the  warder's  daughter,  and  accompanied  by 
Berchthold,  though  secretly  rejoicing  in  what  she 
saw,  the  pleased  and  watchful  matron  neither  ex 
pressed  nor  felt  surprise. 

"  Thy  mother  ?"  were  the  first  words  which 
passed  the  lips  of  the  widowed  Lottchen,  after 
she  had  kissed  the  glowing  and  warm  cheek  of  the 
girl. 

"Is  closeted  with  the  Herr  Emich,  my  father 
says ;  else  would  she  be  sure  to  be  here.  She  has 
sent  me  to  say  this." 

"  And  thy  father  ?"  added  Lottchen,  with  empha 
sis,  glancing  an  uneasy  eye  from  Meta  to  her  son. 

"  He  drinks  of  rhenish  with  the  castle  wassailers. 
Truly,  my  mother  Lottchen,  thou  must  find  the 
hamlet  unquiet  with  these  graceless  spirits  in  the 
hold.  Our  Limburg  monks  are  scarcely  so  thirsty; 
and  for  idle  discourse,  I  know  not  their  equal  in 
Duerckheim,  town  of  vanities  and  folly  though  it  be, 
as  good  Use  is  apt  to  say." 

Lbttchen  smiled,  for  she  saw  by  the  playful  eye 
of  her  young  visitor,  that  nothing  unpleasant  had 
occurred;  and  giving  Gisela  welcome,  she  led  the 
way  within. 

"Does  Heinrich  know  of  this  visit?"  asked  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  231 

widow,  when  her  young  guests  were  seated,  and 
with  a  painful  interest  in  the  answer. 

"  I  tell  thee,  Lottchen,  that  my  father  quaffs  with 
the  strangers.  Here  is  Berchthold,  thy  son — the 
restless,  impatient  Berchthold — he  can  tell  thee 
mother,  into  what  goodly  company  the  Burgomaster 
of  Duerckheim  hath  fallen !" 

As  Meta  said  this,  she  laughed,  though,  in  very 
sooth,  she  scarce  knew  why.  The  more  experienced 
Lottchen  saw  little  else  in  the  mirth  of  her  young 
visitor  than  one  of  those  buoyant  impulses  of  youth 
which  lead  equally  to  gaiety  and  sorrow,  without 
sufficient  cause;  but  she  watched  the  countenance 
of  her  own  child  with  solicitude,  to  note  how  far  he 
sympathized  with  the  merriment  of  Meta.  Bercht 
hold,  by  speaking,  was  the  interpreter  of  his  own 
thoughts. 

"Since  thou  appealest  to  me,"  he  said,  "my  an 
swer  is,  that  Heinrich  Frey  consorts  at  present 
with  two  as  hopeless  idlers  as  ever  darkened  door 
in  Hartenburg.  Truly,  Brother  Luther  needs  bestir 
himself  for  the  Church,  when  such  as  these  go  forth 
in  its  garments !" 

"  Say  what  thou  wilt,  Master  Berchthold,"  cried 
Gisela,  "of  the  prating  half- shaven  Abbe,  but  respect 
him  of  Rhodes,  as  a  soldier  in  evil  fortune,  and  one 
that  is  both  gentle  and  gallant." 

"  As  gallant  as  thou  wilt,"  cried  Meta,  with  warmth. 
"Thy  humor  for  mild  discourse  must  be  formed 
by  the  rude  company  of  the  bold,  if  thou  stylest  these 
gentle !" 

Lottchen  had  examined  each  face  earnestly,  and 
ner  countenance  brightened  with  the  frankness  and 
fervor  of  the  last  speaker.  She  was  about  to  say 
something  in  guarded  commendation  of  her  judg 
ment,  when  a  light  step  was  heard  before  the  outer 
door,  and  Ulrike  herself  entered.  Notwithstanding 
Jie  early  departure  of  the  young  people  from  the 


232  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

castle,  and  the  trifling  distance  between  its  walls 
and  the  hamlet,  so  much  leisure  had  been  wasted  in 
idle  laughter  by  the  way,  or  in  culling  flowers  on  the 
hill-side,  that  she  had  sufficient  time  to  exhaust  all 
that  old  Use  had  to  recount  concerning  the  manner 
in  which  she  had  disposed  of  her  charge,  and  to 
rollow  them  to  the  cottage,  ere  the  discourse  had 
gone  farther.  The  meeting  between  the  friends 
was,  as  wont,  warm  and  happy.  When  the  usual 
inquiries  were  exhausted,  and  a  few  unmeaning 
observations  had  been  made  by  the  girls,  the  younger 
part  of  the  company  were  gotten  rid  of,  undei 
pretence  of  conducting  Meta  to  witness  the  manner 
in  which  Berchthold  had  arranged  the  nests  for  some 
doves,  which  had  been  a  present  from  herself  to 
his  mother.  The  two  parents  saw  the  departure  of 
their  children,  always  accompanied  by  Gisela,  with 
satisfaction;  for  each  had  need  of  a  secret  con 
ference  with  the  other,  and  both  knew  how  apt 
vouth  and  inclination  were  to  prolong  their  ab 
sence,  by  means  of  those  thousand  little  delays 
which  form  the  unconscious  and  innocent  coquetry 
of  love. 

When  left  to  themselves,  Ulrike  and  Lottchen 
sat,  for  some  time,  with  hands  interlocked,  regarding 
one  another  earnestly. 

"  Thou  hast  borne  the  trying  season  of  the  spring 
time  well,  good  Lottchen,"  said  the  former,  with 
affection.  "  I  have  no  longer  any  fear  that  thy 
health  might  suffer  in  this  damp  abode." 

"  And  thou  lookest  youthful  and  fair  as  when  we 
strolled,  like  thy  Meta  there,  laughing  and  thought 
less  girls,  on  the  heath  of  the  Heidenmauer.  Of  all  I 
have  known,  Ulrike,  thou  art  the  least  changed  by 
time,  either  in  form  or  heart." 

The  gentle  pressure,  before  they  released  each 
other's  hands,  was  a  silent  pledge  of  their  mutua. 
esteem. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  233 

"Thou  findest  Meta  blooming  and  happy?" 

"  As  she  meriteth  to  be — and  Berchthold — I  think 
mm  fast  growing  into  the  comeliness  and  form  ol 
his  sire  ?" 

"  He  is  all  I  could  wish — one  qualification  except- 
ed,  my  friend ;  and  that,  thou  well  knowest,  I  do  not 
wish  him  for  any  other  reason  than  to  satisfy  Hein- 
rich's  scruples." 

"For  my  child,  that  qualification  is  hopeless. 
Berchthold  has  too  much  generous  indifference  to 
gold,  ever  to  accumulate,  were  the  means  his.  But 
what  hope  is  there  for  an  humble  forester, who  travels 
his  range  of  chase,  follows  his  lord  to  ceremonies, 
or  attends  him  in  battle  ?" 

"  The  Herr  Emich  values  thy  son,  and  I  do  think 
would  fain  do  him  favor.  Were  the  Count  earnestly 
to  reason  with  Heinrich,  all  hope  would  not  yet  be 
lost." 

Lottchen  dropped  her  eyes  to  the  work  on  which 
her  needle  was  employed,  for  necessity  had  render 
ed  her  systematically  industrious.  The  pause  was 
long  and  thoughtful.  But  while  Ulrike  pondered  on 
the  chances  of  overcoming  her  husband's  love  of 
money  and  his  worldly  views,  a  very  different 
picture  had  presented  itself  to  the  mind  of  her 
friend.  The  eye-lids  of  the  latter  trembled,  and  a 
hot  tear  fell  upon  the  linen  in  her  lap. 

"  I  have  thought  much  of  late,  Ulrike,"  she  said, 
"of  the  justice  of  burthening  thy  happiness  and 
golden  fortunes  with  the  load  of  our  adversity. 
Berchthold  is  young  and  brave,  and  there  seems  as 
little  necessity  as  there  is  right,  in  weighing  thee 
and  Meta  down  to  our  own  level.  I  have  anxiously 
wished  for  the  means  of  counselling  with  some 
friend  less  interested  than  thou,  on  the  fitness  of 
what  we  do;  but  it  is  difficult  to  speak  of  so  delicate 
a  subject  without  wronging  thy  daughter." 

"  If  thou  wouldest  have  the  most  disinterested  and 
U2 


234  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

wisest  of  all  advisers,  Lottchen,  take  counsel  of  thine 
own  heart." 

"  That  tells  me  to  be  just  to  thee  and  Meta." 

"  Dost  thou  know  aught  of  Berchthold's  manners 
or  mind,  that  may  have  escaped  the  observation  of 
an  anxious  mother,  who  desires  to  match  her  own 
child  with  none  but  the  deserving  ?" 

Lottchen  smiled  through  her  tears,  and  gazed  al 
the  mild  features  of  Ulrike  with  reverence. 

"  If  thou  wouldest  hear  evil  of  the  youth,  do  not 
come  to  her  who  hath  no  other  hope,  for  the  tidings. 
The  orphan  is  the  sole  riches  of  his  widowed  mother, 
and  thou  mayest  not  get  the  truth  from  one  that  re 
gards  her  treasure  wth  so  much  covetousness." 

"  And  dost  thou  fancy,  Lottchen,  that  thy  son  in 
poverty  is  dearer  to  thee  than  is  Meta  to  her  mother, 
though  Providence  may  have  left  us  wealth  and 
consideration  ?  Misfortune  hath  indeed  changed 
thee,  and  thou  art  no  longer  the  Lottchen  of  my 
young  days !" 

"I  will  say  no  more,  Ulrike,"  answered  the 
widow,  in  a  low  voice,  speaking  like  one  rebuked ; 
"  I  leave  all  to  heaven  and  thee !  Thou  art  certain 
that  were  Berchthold  Count  of  Leiningen,  his  and 
my  desire  would  be  to  see  Meta  his  bride." 

A  nearly  imperceptible  smile  played  upon  the 
sweet  mouth  of  Ulrike,  for  she  bethought  her  of 
the  recent  discourse  with  Emich;  but  there  was 
neither  suspicion  nor  discontent  in  the  passing 
thought.  She  was  too  wise  to  put  human  nature 
to  very  severe  tests,  and  much  too  meek  to  believe 
all  who  fell  short  of  perfection  unworthy  of  her 
esteem. 

"  We  will  think  of  things  as  they  are,"  she  answer 
ed,  "and  not  dwell  on  impossible  chances.  Wert 
thou  Ulrike  and  I  Lottchen,  none  can  believe  more 
fervently  than  I,  that  these  opinions  would  undergo 
no  change.  Of  Meta  thou  art  sure,  my  friend;  but 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  235 

truth  bids  me  say,  that  I  fear  Heinrich  will  never 
yield.  His  mind  is  much  occupied  with  what  the 
world  deems  its  equality  of  interests;  and  it  will  be 
hard,  indeed,  to  bring  him  to  balance  virtues  against 
gold." 

"  And  is  he  so  wrong  1  Of  what  excellence  is 
Berchthold  possessed,  that  does  not  find  at  least  ifcs 
equal  in  Meta?" 

"  Happiness  cannot  be  bartered  for,  as  we  would 
look  into  the  value  of  houses  and  lands.  He  is  wrong; 
and  I  could  weep — oh,  how  bitterly  I  have  wept ! — 
that  Heinrich  Frey  should  be  thus  bent  on  casting 
the  happiness  of  that  artless  and  unpractised  child, 
on  the  rude  chances  of  so  narrow  calculations.  But 
we  will  still  hope,"  added  Ulrike,  drying  her  tears, 
"and  turn  our  thoughts  to  the  more  cheerful  side." 

"  Thou  saidst  something  of  the  power  of  my  boy 
with  the  Count,  and  of  his  wish  to  do  us  service  ?" 

"  I  know  no  other  means  to  move  Heinrich's  mind. 
Though  kind  and  yielding  to  me,  in.  all  matters  that 
he  believes  touch  my  state,  he  believes  that  no 
woman  is  a  fit  judge  of  the  world's  interests;  and,  1 
fear  I  should  add,  that,  from  too  much  familiarity 
with  my  poor  means,  he  places  his  wife  lowest 
among  her  sex  in  this  particular:  there  is  no  hope, 
therefore,  that  any  words  of  mine  can  change  him. 
But  the  Lord  Emich  has  great  hold  on  his  judgment, 
for,  Lottchen,  they  who  prize  the  world's  smiles, 
ever  yield  reverence  to  those  that  chance  to  pos 
sess  them  largely." 

The  widow  dropped  her  eyes,  for  rarely,  in  their 
numerous  and  friendly  conferences,  did  her  friend 
allude  to  the  weaknesses  of  her  husband. 

"  And  the  Herr  Emich  ?"  she  asked,  desirous  to 
change  the  discourse. 

"  The  Count  is  much  disposed  to  aid  us,  as  I 
have  said ;  for  I  have  laid  bare  to  him  our  wisnes 


236  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

this  morning,  and  have  much  entreated  him  to  do 
this  kind  act." 

"  It  is  not  wont  for  thee  to  be  the  solicitor  with  the 
Herr  von  Hartenburg,  Ulrike !"  rejoined  Lottchen, 
raising  her  eyes  again  to  the  countenance  of  hei 
friend,  across  whose  cheek  there  passed  a  flush  so 
faint  as  to  resemble  the  reflection  of  some  bright 
color  of  her  attire,  while  a  still  less  obvious  smile 
dimpled  the  skin.  The  looks  that  were  exchanged 
told  of  recollections  that  were  both  joyous  and 
melancholy,  being,  as  it  were,  hasty  but  comprehen 
sive  glances  into  the  pregnant  volume  of  the  past. 

"  It  was  the  first  request,"  resumed  Ulrike;  "nor 
can  I  say  the  boon  was  absolutely  refused,  though 
its  gift  was  coupled  with  a  condition  impossible  to 
grant." 

"  If  it  were  too  much  for  thy  friendship,  it  must 
have  been  hard  indeed!" 

Lottchen  spoke  under  the  influence  of  one  of 
those  sudden  and  keen  impulses  of  disappointment, 
which  sometimes  make  the  strong  in  principle  mo 
mentarily  forget  their  justice;  and  Ulrike  perfectly 
understood  the  meaning  of  her  words.  The  differ 
ence  in  their  fortunes,  the  hopelessness  of  the  future 
with  the  fallen  Lottchen,  and  all  the  bitterness  of 
unmerited  contumely  and  poverty,  the  severe  judg 
ments  which  a  thoughtless  world  inflicts  on  the  un 
lucky,  passed  quickly  through  the  mind  of  the  latter, 
amid  a  tumult  of  regrets  and  recollections. 

"  Of  this  thou  shalt  judge  for  thyself,  Lottchen/' 
she  answered  calmly;  "and  when  thou  hast  heard 
me,  I  require  thy  unconcealed  reply,  conjuring  thee, 
by  that  long  and  constant  friendship  across  which 
no  cloud  has  ever  yet  passed,  to  lay  bare  thy  soul, 
shading  no  thought,  nor  desiring  to  color  even  the 
most  latent  of  thy  wishes !" 

"  Thou  hast  only  to  speak." 

"  Hast  thou  never  suspected,  that  all  this  warlike 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  237 

preparation  in  the  hold,  in  the  presence  of  the  men- 
at-arms  in  Limburg,  tends  to  no  good  ?' 

"  Both  speak  of  war;  but  the  Elector  is  sore  press 
ed,  and  it  is  now  long  since  our  Germany  was  at 
perfect  peace." 

"  Nay,  thy  surmises  must  have  gone  beyond  these 
general  causes." 

The  look  of  surprise  assured  Ulrike  she  was 
mistaken. 

"  And  Berchthold  ?  Has  he  said  naught  of  his 
Lord's  intentions?"  continued  the  latter. 

"  He  talks  of  battles  and  sieges,  like  most  of  his 
years,  and  he  often  essays  the  armor  of  his  grand 
father,  which  lumbers  yon  closet;  for  thou  knowest, 
though  not  of  knightly  rank,  we  have  had  soldiers 
in  our  race." 

41  Is  he  not  angered  against  Limburg?" 

"  He  is,  and  yet  is  he  not.  There  is  a  little  flame 
of  resentment,  I  regret  to  say,  in  all  of  the  Jaeger- 
thai  against  the  monks,  which  is  much  fanned  in  my 
son  by  his  foster-brother,  Gottlob,  the  cow-herd." 

"  This  flame  hath  descended  to  the  hind  from 
his  Lord.  All  that  Gottlob  says,  Emich  hath  more 
than  hinted." 

"  Nay,  there  was  revelling  in  the  hold,  between 
Bonifacius  and  the  Count,  no  later  than  the  night 
past !" 

"Too  much  blindness  to  that  which  passeth 
before  thy  eyes,  dear  Lottchen,  is  a  virtuous  feeling 
of  thy  nature.  The  Count  of  Hartenburg  plots  the 
downfall  of  the  Abbey-altars,  and  he  has  this  day 
sworn  to  me,  that  if  I  will  win  Heinrich  to  his 
wishes,  no  influence  or  authority  of  his  shall  be 
wanting  to  make  Berchthold  and  Meta  happy." 

Lottchen  heard  this  announcement  with  the  silent 
amazement  with  which  the  unsuspecting  and  meek 
first  hearken  to  the  bold  designs  of  the  ambitious 
and  daring. 


238  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  This  would  be  sacrilege  !"  she  exclaimed  with 
emphasis. 

"  'Twould  be  to  disgrace  the  altars  of  God,  that 
our  desires  might  prevail." 

There  was  a  pause.  Lottchen  rose  from  her 
chair,  with  so  little  effort,  that,  to  the  imagination 
of  her  excited  friend,  it  seemed  her  stature  grew  by 
supernatural  means.  Then  raising  her  arms,  the 
widowed  mother  poured  out  her  feelings  in  words. 

"  Ulrike,  thou  knowest  my  heart,"  she  said:  "thou, 
who  art  the  sister  of  my  love,  if  not  of  my  blood — 
thou,  from  whom  no  childish  thought  was  hid,  no 
maiden  feeling  concealed — thou,  to  whom  my  mind 
was  but  a  mirror  of  thine  own,  reflecting  every 
wish,  all  impulses,  each  desire — and  well  dost  thou 
know  how  dear  to  me  is  Berchthold !  Thou  canst 
say,  that  when  Heaven  took  his  father,  the  yearn 
ings  of  a  mother  alone  tempted  me  to  live;  that  for 
him,  I  have  borne  adversity  with  contentment, 
smiling  when  he  smiled,  and  rejoicing  when  the 
buoyancy  of  youth  made  him  rejoice;  that  as  for 
him  I  have  lived,  so  that  for  him  would  I  die. 
Thou  canst  say,  Ulrike,  that  my  own  youthful  and 
virgin  affections  were  not  yielded  with  greater  de 
light  and  confidence  than  I  have  witnessed  this 
growing  tenderness  for  Meta;  and  yet  do  I  here 
declare,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  his  works,  that 
before  a  rebel  wish  of  mine  shall  aid  Count  Emich 
in  this  act,  there  is  no  earthly  sorrow  I  will  not 
welcome,  no  humility  that  I  will  dread !" 

The  pious  Lottchen  sank  into  her  seat,  pale,  trem 
bling,  and  exhausted  with  an  effort  so  unusual.  The 
widowed  mother  of  Berchthold  had  never  possessed 
the  rare  personal  attractions  of  her  friend,  and  those 
which  were  left  by  time,  had  suffered  cruel  marks 
from  sorrow  and  depression.  Still,  where  she  now 
sat,  her  face  beaming  with  the  inspiration  of  the 
reverence  she  felt  for  the  Deity,  and  her  soul  charged 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  239 

lo  bursting,  Ulrike  thought  she  had  never  seen  one 
more  fair.  Her  own  eyes  brightened  with  delight, 
for  at  that  moment  of  spiritual  elevation,  neither 
thought  of  any  worldly  interests ;  and  her  strongest 
wish  was  that  the  Count  of  Hartenburg  could  be  a 
witness  of  this  triumph  of  principle  over  selfishness. 
Her  own  refusal,  though  so  similar  in  manner  and 
words,  the  natural  result  of  their  great  unity  of 
character,  seemed  destitute  of  all  merit ;  for  what 
was  the  simple  denial  of  one  of  her  means,  com 
pared  to  this  lofty  readiness  to  encounter  a  con 
tumely  that  was  already  so  bitterly  understood. 

"  I  expected  no  less,"  answered  Ulrike,  when 
emotion  permitted  speech:  "from  thee,  Lottchen, 
less  would  have  been  unworthy,  and  more  could 
scarcely  come !  We  will  now  speak  of  other  things, 
and  trust  to  the  power  of  the  dread  Being  whose 
majesty  is  menaced.  Hast  thou  yet  visited  the  Hei- 
denmauer1?" 

Notwithstanding  the  excited  state  of  her  own 
feelings,  which  were,  however,  gradually  subsiding  to 
their  usual  calm,  Lottchen  took  heed  of  the  change 
of  manner  in  her  friend  as  she  uttered  the  last 
words,  and  the  slight  tremor  of  the  voice  with  which 
her  question  was  put. 

"  The  kindness  of  the  anchorite  to  Berchthold,  and 
his  great  reputation  for  sanctity,  drew  me  thither 
I  found  him  of  mild  discourse,  and  a  recluse  of  great 
wisdom." 

"  Didst  note  him  well,  Lottchen?" 

"As  the  penitent  regards  him  who  offers  consola 
tion. ' 

"  1  would  thou  hadst  been  more  particular  !" 

Thewidow  glanced  towards  her  friend  in  surprise, 
but  immediately  turned  her  eyes,  that  were  still  filled 
with  tears,  to  her  work.  There  was  a  moment  of 
musing  and  painful  pause,  for  each  felt  the  want  of 
their  usual  and  entire  confidence. 


240  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

"  Dost  thou  distrust  him,  Ulrike  V9 

"  Not  as  a  penitent,  or  one  willing  to  atone." 

"  Thou  disapproves!  of  the  deference  he  receives 
from  the  country  round  ?" 

"  Of  that  thou  mayest  judge,  Lottchen,  when  1 
tell  thee  that  I  suffer  Meta  to  seek  counsel  from  him." 

Lottchen  showed  greater  surprise,  and  the  silence 
was  longer  than  before,  and  still  more  embarrassing. 

"  It  is  long  since  thou  hast  named  to  me,  good 
Lottchen,  one  that  was  so  much  and  so  warmly  in 
our  discourse  when  we  were  girls !" 

The  amazement  of  the  listener  was  sudden  and 
marked.  She  dropped  her  work,  and  clasped  her 
hands  together  with  force. 

"  Dost  thou  believe  this  ?"  burst  from  her  lips. 

Ulrike  bowed  her  head,  apparently  to  examine 
the  linen,  though  really  unconscious  of  the  act,  while 
the  hand  she  extended  trembled  violently. 

"  I  have  sometimes  thought  it,"  she  answered, 
scarce  speaking  above  a  whisper. 

A  merry  laugh,  one  of  those  joyous  impulses  which 
spring  from  the  gaiety  of  youth,  was  heard  at  the 
door,  and  Meta  entered,  followed  by  Berchthold  and 
the  warder's  daughter.  At  this  interruption  the 
friends  arose,  and  withdrew  to  an  inner  room. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  241 


CHAPTER  XY. 

I  pray  thee,  loving  wife,  and  gentle  daughter, 
Give  even  way  unto  my  rough  affairs." 

King  Henry  IV. 

ABOUT  an  hour  after  the  moment  when  Ulrike  and 
Lottchen  disappeared,  as  described  in  the  close  of 
Jie  last  chapter,  the  cavalcade  of  Heinrich  Frey 
was  seen  moving  along  the  Jaergerthal,  beneath  the 
hill  of  Limburg,  on  its  way  towards  the  town.  Four 
.ight-armed  followers  of  Emich  accompanied  the 
party  on  foot,  under  the  pretence  of  doing  honor  to 
the  Burgomaster,  but  in  truth  to  protect  him  against 
insult  from  any  stragglers  belonging  to  the. men-at- 
arms  who  lay  in  the  Abbey — a  precaution  that  was 
not  altogether  without  utility,  as  the  reader  will  re 
member  that  the  path  ran  within  call  of  the  eccle 
siastical  edifices. 

As  the  beasts  ambled  past  the  imposing  towers 
and  wide  roofs,  that  were  visible  even  to  those  who 
journeyed  in  that  deep  glen,  Heinrich's  countenance, 
which  had  been  more  than  usually  thoughtful  ever 
since  he  passed  beneath  the  gate  of  Hartenburg, 
grew  graver ;  and  Meta,  who  rode  as  usual  at  his 
crupper,  heard  him  draw  one  of  those  heavy  res 
pirations  which  were  so  many  infallible  signs  that 
the  mental  part  of  her  worthy  parent  was  under 
going  extraordinary  exercises. 

Nor  did  this  shade  appear  only  on  the  face  of  the 
Burgomaster.  A  deep  and  thoughtful  gloom  clouded 
the  fine  features  of  his  wife,  while  the  countenance 
of  the  blooming  daughter  betrayed  that  sort  of 
sombre  rest  which  is  apt  to  succeed  high  excitement ; 
a  moment  in  which  the  mind  appears  employed  in 
examining  the  past,  as  if  disposed  to  dissect  the 
merits  and  demerits  of  its  recent  enjoyments.  Of 
them  all,  the  male  attendants  alone  excepted,  old 
X 


242  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Use  returned  as  she  had  gone,  self-satisfied,  unmoved, 
and  talkative. 

"  Count  Emich  hath  displeased  thee,  father,"  Meta 
said  quickly,  when  a  respiration,  which  in  one  less 
physical  would  have  been  termed  a  sigh,  gave  her 
reason  to  think  the  Burgomaster's  bosom  was  strug 
gling  with  some  bitter  vexation ;  "else  wouldest  thou 
be  more  cheerful,  and  better  disposed  to  give  me  thy 
parental  counsel,  as  is  thy  habit,  when  we  go  to 
gether  on  the  pillion." 

"  The  occasion  shall  not  fail,  girl ;  and  these  Ab 
bey-walls  offer  in  good  time  to  prick  my  fatherlj 
memory.  But  thou  art  in  error,  if  thou  thinkesr 
that  the  souls  of  the  Herr  Emich  and  mine  are  not 
bound  together  like  those  of  David  and  Jonathan.  I 
know  not  the  man  I  more  love,  or,  the  Emperor  and 
the  Elector  apart,  as  is  my  duty,  the  noble  I  so  much 
respect." 

"  It  is  well  it  is  so,  for  I  greatly  value  these  airy 
rides  among  the  hills,  and  most  of  all  do  I  prize  a 
visit  to  the  cottage  of  Lottchen !" 

Heinrich  ejaculated  audibly.  Then,  riding  a  short 
distance  in  silence,  he  continued  the  dialogue. 

"  Meta,"  he  said,  "  thou  art  now  getting  to  be  of 
a  womanish  age,  and  it  is  time  to  fortify  thy  young 
mind  in  a  manner  that  it  may  meet  the  cunning  and 
malice  of  the  world.  Life  is  of  great  precarious- 
ness,  especially  to  the  valiant  and  enterprising,  and 
we  live  in  perilous  times.  He  that  is  in  his  prime 
to-day,  honored  and  of  credit,  may  be  cut  down  to 
morrow,  or  even  to-night,  to  bring  the  allusion  more 
closely  to  ourselves;  and  thine  own  parent  is  as 
mortal  as  any  reptile  that  creeps,  or  even  as  the 
most  worthless  roisterer  of  the  Electorate,  that 
wasteth  his  substance,  the  saving  of  some  gainful 
parent  perhaps,  in  riotousness  !" 

"  This  is  true,  father,"  rejoined  the  girl,  who, 
though  accustomed  to  the  homely  morality  of  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  243 

good  citizen,  never  before  had  heard  the  Burgomas 
ter  deal,  with  so  little  deference  to  himself,  and  who 
spoke  in  a  lowered  tone,  as  if  the  reflection  of  his 
sudden  humility  produced  a  withering  influence  on 
her  own  self-esteem.  "  We  are  no  better  than  the 
poorest  of  Deurckheim,  and  scarcely  as  good  as 
poor  Lottchen  and  Berchthold." 

A  stronger  ejaculation  betrayed  Heinrich's  dis 
pleasure. 

"  Let  these  honest  people  alone,"  he  answered , 
"since  each  must  be  saved  or  be  damned  on  his  own 
account,  let  Lottchen  and  her  son  take  such  fare  as 
Providence  shall  send;  we  have  just  now  serious 
matters  of  great  family  concernment  to  occupy  us. 
I  would  reason  with  thee  gravely,  child,  and  there 
fore  I  have  need  of  thy  closest  attention.  It  being 
conceded  that  I  am  mortal — an  admission  thou  may- 
est  be  certain,  Meta,  I  should  not  loosely  make  or 
without  necessity — it  follows,  as  a  consequence,  that, 
sooner  or  later,  I  must  be  taken  from  thee,  when 
thou  wilt  be  left  an  orphan.  Now  this  great  calam 
ity  may  befall  us  both  much  sooner  than  thou  fan 
ciest;  for,  I  repeat  it,  we  live  in  perilous  times,  when 
hot-headedness  and  valor  may  any  day  bring  a  man 
to  a  premature  end." 

The  round  arm  of  Meta  clung  more  forcibly  to 
the  body  of  the  Burgomaster,  who  took  the  gentle 
pressure  as  so  much  proof  of  his  child's  concern 
in  his  suppositious  end. 

"  Why  tell  me  of  this,  fatner  ?"  she  exclaimed, 
"  when  thou  knowest  it  only  makes  both  unhappy  ! 
Though  young,  it  may  be  my  fate  to  die  first." 

"  That  is  possible,  but  little  probable,"  returned 
Heinrich,  with  a  melancholy  air.  "  Giving  nature 
a  fair  chance,  it  will  be  my  turn  to  precede  even  thy 
mother,  since  I  have  ten  good  years  the  start  of 
her;  and  as  for  thee,  I  greatly  dread  it  will  be,  one 
day,  thy  misfortune  to  be  left  an  orphan.  God  knows 


244  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

what  will  be  the  end  of  all  these  contentions  that 
now  beset  us,  and  therefore  I  hold  it  wise  to.be  pre 
pared.  Whenever  the  evil  day  of  parting  may 
come,  Meta,  thou  wilt  be  left  with  a  sore  companion 
for  one  of  tender  years  and  little  experience." 

"Father!" 

"  I  mean  money,  child,  which  is  a  blessing,  or  a 
curse,  as  it  proveth.  Were  I  taken  suddenly  away, 
many  idle  and  dissolute  gallants  would  beset  thee, 
swearing  by  their  mustachios  and  beards,  that  thou 
wert  dearer  to  them  than  the  air  they  breathe,  when 
in  truth  their  sole  desire  would  be  to  look  into  the 
leavings  of  the  departed  Burgomaster.  There  is 
great  difficulty  in  marrying  one  of  thy  neutral  con 
dition  happily,  for,  while  want  of  birth  closeth  the 
door  of  the  castle  and  the  palace  against  thy  en 
trance,  ample  means  give  thee  right  to  look  beyond 
the  mere  burgher.  I  would  fain  have  one  of  good 
hopes  for  a  son-in-law,  and  yet  no  spendthrift." 

"That  may  not  be  so  easy  of  accomplishment, 
good  father,"  returned  Meta,  laughing,  for  few  girls 
of  her  years  listen  to  conjectures  or  plans  concern 
ing  their  future  establishment,  without  a  nervous  ir 
ritability  that  easily  takes  the  appearance  of  merri 
ment — "  to  me  the  world  seems  divided  into  those 
who  get  and  those  who  spend." 

"  Or  into  the  wise  and  foolish.  There  are  three 
great  ingredients  that  commonly  enter  into  all  mar 
riages  of  girls  in  thy  condition,  and  without  which 
there  is  little  hope  of  happiness,  or  even  of  every 
day  respect.  The  first  is  the  means  of  livelihood, 
the  second  is  the  consent  and  blessing  of  the  parents, 
and  the  third  is  equality  of  condition." 

"  I  had  thought  thee  about  to  say  something  of 
tastes  and  inclinations,  father !" 

"  Idle  conceit,  child,  that  any  whim  may  change. 
Look  at  yonder  peasant,  who  is  trimming  the  Abbey 
vines — dost  think  him  less  happy  with  his  cup  of  sour 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  245 

liquor,  than  if  he  quaffed  of  the  best  rhenish  in  Boni- 
facius's  cellar?  And  yet,  had  the  hind  his  choice, 
doubt  it  not  he  would  be  ready  to  swear  none  but 
the  liquor  of  Hockheim  should  wet  lip  of  his !  The 
fellow  might  make  himself  miserable,  by  mere  dint 
of  fancy,  were  he  once  to  set  his  mind  on  other 
fare ;  but,  taking  life  soberly  and  industriously,  who 
so  content  as  he  ?  Oh !  I  have  often  envied  these 
knaves  their  happiness,  when  vexation  and  losses 
have  weighed  upon  my  spirits  !" 

"And  wouldestthou  change  conditions  with  these 
vine-trimmers,  father  ?" 

"  What  art  thinking  of,  wench  ?  Is  there  not  such 
a  thing  as  order  and  propriety  on  earth  ? — And  this 
brings  me  to  my  purpose.  There  has  been  question 
to-day  concerning  some  silliness,  not  to  say  pre 
sumption,  on  the  part  of  young  Berchthold  Hinter- 
mayer,  in  wishing  to  couple  his  poverty  with  thy 
means  " 

The  head  of  Meta  fell  abashed,  and  the  arm, 
which  clasped  the  body  of  her  father,  trembled  per 
ceptibly. 

"  I  doubt  that  Berchthold  has  not  thought  of 'this," 
she  answered,  in  a  voice  but  little  above  her  breath, 
though  her  respiration  was  very  audible. 

"  All  the  better  for  him,  since  such  a  desire  would 
be  just  as  unreasonable  as  it  would  be,  on  thy  part, 
to  wish  to  wed  with  Count  Emich's  heir." 

"  Nay,  that  silly  thought  never  crossed  me !"  ex 
claimed  Meta,  frankly. 

*'  All  the  better  for  thee,  girl,  since  the  Herr  von 
Hartenburg  has  had  the  boy  betrothed  these  many 
years.  Well,  as  we  now  understand  each  other  so 
well,  leave  me  to  my  thoughts,  for  weighty  matters 
press  on  my  mind." 

So  saying,  Heinrich  composed  himself  to  reflec 
tion,  fully  content  with  the  parental  lesson  he  had 
just  imparted  to  his  daughter.  But,  in  the  few  and 
X2 


246  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

vague  remarks  that  had  fallen  from  the  Burgoma* 
ter,  Meta  found  sufficient  food  for  uncomfortable 
conjecture  for  the  rest  of  the  ride. 

During  the  short  dialogue  between  Heinrich  and 
Meta,  there  had  also  been  a  discourse  between  Ulrike 
and  the  crone  that  rode  on  her  pillion.  The  pro 
pensity  of  old  Use  to  talk,  and  the  well-tried  indul 
gence  of  her  mistress,  induced  the  former  to  break 
silence  the  moment  they  were  clear  of  the  hamlet, 
and  were  so  far  advanced  beyond  the  rest  of  the 
party,  as  to  render  it  safe  to  speak  freely. 

"  Well,"  exclaimed  the  nurse,  "  this  hath  been, 
truly,  a  day !  First  had  we  matins  in  Deurckheim ; 
and  then,  the  stirring  words  of  Father  Johan,  with 
the  Abbey  mass ;  and  lastly,  this  high  demeanor 
of  the  Count  Emich !  I  do  not  think,  good  wife,  that 
thou  hast  ever  before  seen  the  Burgomaster  so  pre 
ferred  !" 

"  He  is  ever  in  the  graces  of  the  Herr  von  Har 
tenburg,  as  thou  mayest  know,  Use,"  returned  Hein 
rich's  partner,  speaking   like  one  that  thought   of 
other  things.    <;  I  would  that  they  were  less  friendly 
at  this  moment." 

"  Nay,  therein  thou  dost  little  justice  to  thy  hus 
band.  It  is  honorable  to  be  honored  by  the  world's 
honored,  and  thou  shouldest  wish  the  Burgomaster 
favor  with  all  such,  though  it  were  even  with  the 
Emperor.  But  thou  wert  ever  particular,  even  as 
a  child ;  and  I  should  not  deal  too  harshly  with  a 
propensity  that,  coming  as  it  were  of  nature,  is  not 
without  reason.  Ah !  Heaven  is  ever  tender  with 
the  good !  Now,  what  a  happy  life  is  thine,  Ulrike ; 
here  canst  thou  go  forth  before  all  that  were  once; 
thy  equals,  a  Burgomaster's  companion, — and  not  a 
varlet  between  Deurckheim-gate,  or  indeed  thine; 
own  gate,  and  the  hold  of  Hartenburg,  shall  stand* 
covered  as  thy  steed  shuffles  past.  This  is  it  to  be 
fortunate !  Then  have  we  worthy  Heinrich  for  a 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  247 

master,  and  such  another  for  keeping  all  in  due  re 
spect,  is  not  to  be  seen  in  our  town;  and  Meta,  who, 
beyond  dispute,  is  both  the  fairest  and  the  wisest  of 
her  years  among  all  the  maidens,  and  thyself  scarce 
ly  less  blooming  than  of  old,  with  such  health  and 
contentment  as  might  even  disarm  widowhood  of 
its  sorrows.  Ah !  what  a  life  hath  been  thine  !" 

Ulrike  seemed  to  arouse  l^erself  irom  a  trance,  as 
the  nurse  thus  chanted  praises  in  honor  of  her  good 
fortune,  and  the  sigh  she  drew,  unconscious  of  its 
meaning,  was  long  and  tremulous. 

"  I  complain  not  of  my  fate,  good  Use." 

"  If  thou  didst,  I  would  cause  tne  beast  to  halt, 
that  I  might  quickly  descend,  for  nothing  good  could 
come  of  a  journey  so  blasphemous !  No,  gratitude 
before  all  other  virtues,  except  humility;  for  humili 
ty  leadeth  to  favors,  and  favor  is  the  lawful  parent 
of  gratitude  itself.  I  would  thou  couldest  have  been 
at  my  last  shriving,  Ulrike,  and  thou  shouldest  have 
heard  questions  of  nice  meaning  closely  reasoned ! 
[t  happened  that  Father  Johan  was  in  the  confes 
sional,  and  when  he  had  got  the  little  I  had  to  say 
of  myself  in  the  way  of  acknowledgment,  (for,  though 
i  great  sinner  like  all  human,  it  is  little  I  can  do 
against  Heaven  at  threescore  and  ten,)  we  came  to 
»vords  concerning  doctrine.  The  Monk  maintained 
iiiat  the  best  of  us  might  fail  away,  so  as  to  merit 
condemnation;  while  I  would  have  sworn,  had  it 
oeen  seemly  to  swear  in  such  a  place,  that  the  late 
Prior,  than  whom  none  better  ever  dwelt  in  Lim- 
burg,  always  gave  comfortable  assurance  of  mercy 
being  safe,  when  fairly  earned.  I  wonder  not  that 
these  heresies  should  be  abroad,  when  the  professed 
throw  this  discouragement  in  the  way  of  the  old 
and  weak !" 

"  Thou  art  too  apt,  good  Use,  to  dwell  on  subtle 
ties,  when  a  meeker  faith  might  better  become  thy 
condition." 


248  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"And  what  is  this  condition,  prithee,  that  thou 
namest  it  as  a  disqualified  Am  I  not  aged — and 
can  any  say  better  what  is  sin,  or  what  not  ?  Didst 
thou  know  what  sin  was  thyself,  child,  till  I  taught 
thee  ?  Am  I  not  mortal,  and  therefore  frail — am  I 
not  a  woman,  and  therefore  inquiring — and  am  I 
not  aged,  and  therefore  experienced  ?  No,  come  to 
me,  an'  thou  wouldest  get  an  insight  into  real  sin 
— sin  that  hath  much  need  of  grace !" 

"  Well,  let  it  be  thus.  But,  Use,  I  would  recall  thy 
mind  to  days  long  past,  and  take  counsel  of  thy 
experience  in  a  matter  that  toucheth  me  nearly." 

"  That  must  be  some  question  of  Meta ;  naught 
else  could  touch  a  mother  nearly." 

"  Thou  hast  reason  in  part :  'tis  of  Meta,  and  of 
us  all,  in  sooth,  that  I  would  speak.  Thou  hast 
now  been  to  the  Heidenmauer  more  than  once  with 
our  girl,  in  quest  of  the  holy  Anchorite?" 

"  Have  I  not !  Thou  mayest  well  say  more  than 
once,  since  I  have  twice  made  that  weary  journey; 
and  few  of  my  years  would  have  come  off  so  lightly 
from  the  fatigue." 

"  And  what  is  said  in  the  country  round  of  the 
holy  man — of  his  origin  and  history,  I  mean  ?" 

"  Much  is  said;  and  much  that  is  good  and  edify 
ing  is  said.  It  is  thought  that  one  blessing  of  his 
is  as  good  as  two  from  the  Abbey;  for  of  him  no 
harm  is  known,  whereas  there  is  much  reputed  of 
Limburg  that  had  better  not  be  true.  For  myself, 
Ulrike — and  I  am  one  that  does  not  treat  these 
matters  lightly — I  should  go  away  with  more  surety 
of  favor  with  a  single  touch  of  the  Hermit's  hand, 
than  if  honored  with  blows  from  all  of  Limburg 
But,  from  the  account  I  except  Father  Arnolph,  who 
if  he  be  not  an  Anchorite,  well  deserves,  from  his 
virtues,  to  be  one.  Oh !  that  is  a  man,  were  justice 
done  him,  who  ought  never  to  taste  other  liquor 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  249 

than  water  of  the  spring,  or  other  food  than  bread 
hard  as  a  rock?" 

"  And  hast  thou  seen  him  of  the  Heidenmauer?" 

"  It  hath  been  sufficient  for  me  to  be  in  sight  of 
his  hut.  I  am  none  of  those  that  cannot  have  a 
good  thing  in  possession,  without  using  it  up.  I 
have  never  laid  eyes  on  the  holy  man,  for  that  is  a 
virtue  I  keep  in  store  against  some  of  the  sore  evils 
that  beset  all  in  age.  Let  any  of  the  autumn  plagues 
come  upon  me,  and  thou  shalt  see  in  what  manner 
I  will  visit  him  !" 

"  Use,  thou  mayest  yet  remember  the  days  of  my 
infancy,  and  hast  some  knowledge  of  most  of  the 
events  of  Deurckheim  for  these  many,  many  years?" 

"  I  know  not  what  thou  callest  infancy,  but  if  it 
mean  the  first  cry  thy  feeble  voice  ever  made,  or 
the  first  glance  of  thy  twinkling  eyes,  I  remember 
both  an'  it  were  yesterday's  vespers." 

"  And  thou  hast  not  forgotten  the  youths  and  maid 
ens  that  then  sported  at  our  merry-makings,  and 
were  gay  in  their  time,  as  these  we  see  to-day?" 

"  Call  you  these  gay  ?  These  are  hired  mourners 
compared  to  those  of  my  youth.  You  that  have 
been  bcrn  in  the  last  fifty  years  know  little  of  mirth 
and  gaiety.  If  thou  wouldest  learn" 

"  Of  this  we  can  speak  at  another  season.  But 
since  thy  memory  remains  so  clear,  thou  canst  not 
have  forgotten  the  young  Herr  von  Ritterstein ;  he 
that  was  well  received  of  old  within  my  father's 
doors  ?" 

Ulrike  spoke  in  a  low  voice,  but  the  easy  move 
ment  of  the  beast  they  rode  suffered  every  word  to 
.each  the  ear  of  her  companion. 

"  Do  I  remember  Odo  von  Ritterstein?"  exclaimed 
the  crone.  "  Am  I  a  heathen,  to  forget  him  or  his 
crime  ?" 

"  Poor  Odo'  Bitterly  hath  he  repented  that  trans- 


250  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

gression  in  banishment,  as  I  have  heard.    We  may 
hope  that  his  offence  is  forgiven  !" 

"  Of  whom — of  Heaven?  Never,  as  thou  livest, 
Ulrike,  can  such  a  crime  be  pardoned.  It  will  be 
twenty  years  this  night  since  he  did  that  deed,  as  all 
in  the  Jaegerthal  well  know;  for  there  have  beer 
masses  and  exorcisms  without  number  said  in  th 
Abbey-chapel  on  his  account.  What  dost  take 
Heaven  to  be,  that  it  can  forget  an  offence  like  that!" 

"  It  was  a  dreadful  sin !"  answered  Ulrike,  shud 
dering,  for  though  she  betrayed  a  desire  to  exoner 
ate  the  supposed  penitent,  horror  at  his  offence  was 
evidently  uppermost  in  her  mind. 

"  It  was  blasphemy  to  God,  and  an  outrage  to 
man.  Let  him  look  to  it,  I  say,  for  his  soul  is  in 
cruel  jeopardy!" 

A  heavy  sigh  was  the  answer  of  the  Burgomas 
ter's  wife. 

"  I  knew  young  Odo  von  Ritterstein  well,"  contin 
ued  the  crone,  "  and,  though  not  ill  gifted  as  to  out 
ward  appearance,  and  of  most  seductive  discourse 
to  all  who  would  listen  to  a  honied  tongue,  I  can 
boast  of  having  read  his  inmost  nature  at  our  very 
first  acquaintance." 

"  Thou  understood  a  fearful  mystery !"  half  whis 
pered  Ulrike. 

"  It  was  no  mystery  to  one  of  my  years  and 
experience.  What  is  a  comely  face,  and  a  noble 
birth,  and  a  jaunting  air,  and  a  bold  eye,  to  your 
woman  that  hath  had  her  opportunities,  and  who 
hath  lived  long?  Nay,  nay — young  Odo's  soul  was 
read  by  me,  as  your  mass-saying  priest  readeth  his 
missal;  that  is,  with  half  a  glance." 

"  It  is  surprising  that  one  of  thy  station  should  have 
so  quickly  and  so  well  understood  him,  that  most 
have  found  inexplicable.  Thou  knowest  he  was  long 
in  favor  with  my  parents  ?" 

"  Ay,  and  with  thee,  Ulrike;  and  this  proves  the 


THE  HEIDENMAL'ER.  251 

great  difference  of  judgments.  But  not  a  single 
day,  nay  not  even  an  hour,  was  I  mistaken  in  his 
character.  What  was  his  name  to  me  ?  They  say 
he  had  crusaders  among  his  ancestors,  and  that 
nobles  of  his  lineage  bore  the  sign  of  the  cross,  under 
a  hot  sun  and  in  a  far  land,  in  honor  of  God ;  but 
none  of  this  would  I  hear,  I  saw  the  man  with 
mine  own  eyes,  and  with  mine  own  judgment  did  I 
judge." 

"  Thou  sawest  one,  Use,  of  no  displeasing  mien." 
"  So  thought  the  young  and  light-minded.  I  deny 
not  his  appearance;  'twas  according  to  Heaven's 
pleasure — nor  do  I  say  aught  against  his  readiness 
in  exercises,  or  any  other  esteemed  and  knightly 
qualities,  for  I  am  not  one  to  backbite  a  fallen  enemy. 
But  he  had  a  way !  Now,  when  he  came  first  to 
visit  thy  father,  here  did  he  enter  the  presence  of 
the  honest  Burgomaster  an'  he  had  been  the  Elector, 
instead  of  a  mere  Baron;  and  though  there  I  stood, 
waiting  to  do  him  reverence  as  became  his  rank 
and  my  breeding,  nay,  doing  him  reverence,  and 
that  oft  repeated,  not  a  look  of  grace,  nor  a  thank, 
nor  a  smile  of  condescension  did  I  get,  for  my  pains. 
His  eyes  could  not  stoop  to  the  old  nurse,  but  were 
fastened  on  the  face  of  the  young  beauty,  besides 
many  other  levities. — Oh!  I  quickly  accounted  him 
for  what  he  was !" 

"  He  was  of  contradictory  qualities." 
"  Worse  than  that — a  hundred-fold  worse.  I  can 
count  you  up  his  graces  in  brief  speech — First  was 
he  a  roisterer,  that  never  missed  occasion  to  enter 
into  all  debaucheries  with  the  very  monks  he  dis 
honored, " 

"  Nay,  that  I  did  never  hear !" 
"  Is  it  reasonable  to  suppose  otherwise,  after  what 
we  know  of  a  certainty?   Give  me  but  one  bold  vice 
in  a  man,  and  I  will  quickly  show  you  all  its  com- 


252  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  And  is  this  true?  Ought  we  not  rather  to  thmk 
that  most  yield  in  their  weakest  points,  while  they 
may  continue  to  resist  in  their  strongest? — That 
there  are  faults,  which,  inviting  the  world's  condem 
nation,  produce  indifference  to  the  world's  opinion, 
may  be  true;  but  I  hope  few  are  so  evil  as  not  tc 
retain  some  portion  of  their  good  qualities." 

"  Hadst  thou  ever  seen  a  siege,  good  wife,  thou 
wouldest  not  say  this.  Here  is  your  enemy,  without 
the  ditch,  shouting,  and  screaming,  and  doing  his 
worst  to  alarm  the  garrison. — I  say  now  but  what 
I  have  thrice  seen  here,  in  our  very  Deurckheim — 
but  so  long  as  the  breach  is  not  made,  or  the  ladders 
placed,  each  goes  his  way  in  the  streets,  quietly  and 
unharmed.  But  let  the  enemy  once  enter,  though 
it  be  but  by  a  window,  or  down  a  chimney,  open 
fly  the  gates,  and  in  pour  the  columns,  horsemen  and 
footmen,  till  not  a  house  escapes  rifling,  nor  a  sanc 
tuary  violation.  Now  this  blasphemy  of  Herr  Odo 
was  much  as  if  a  curtain  of  wall  had  fallen  at  once, 
Jetting  in  whole  battalions  and  squadrons  of  vices  in 
Company." 

"  That  the  act  was  fearful,  is  as  certain  as  that  it 
was  heavily  punished ;  but  still  may  it  have  been  the 
fault  of  momentary  folly,  or  of  provoked  resent 
ment." 

"  It  was  blasphemy,  and  as  such  it  is  punished  ; 
why  then  say  more  in  its  defence?  Here  Cometh 
Meta  within  call,  and  it  were  well  she  should  not 
hear  her  mother  justify  sin.  Remember  thou  art  a 
mother,  and  bear  thy  charge  with  prudence." 

As  the  horse  ridden  by  the  Burgomaster  and  his 
daughter  drew  near,  Ulrike  ceased  speaking,  with 
the  patient  forbearance  that  distinguished  her  inter 
course  with  the  old  woman.  And  during  the  rest 
of  the  ride,  little  more  passed  among  the  equestrians. 
On  reaching  his  own  abode,  however,  Heinrich 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  253 

Hastened  to  hold  a  secret  council  with  the  chief  men 
of  the  place. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  passed  as  was  wont  in 
the  towns  of  that  age.  The  archers  practised  with 
their  bows,  without  the  walls;  the  more  trained 
arquebusiers  were  exercised  with  their  unwieldy  but 
comparatively  dangerous  weapons ;  the  youthful  of 
the  two  sexes  danced,  while  the  wine-houses  were 
thronged  with  artisans,  who  quaffed,  after  the  toil 
of  the  week,  the  cheap  and  healthful  liquor  of  the 
Palatinate,  in  a  heavy  animal  enjoyment.  Here  and 
there  a  monk  of  the  neighboring  Abbey  appeared  in 
the  streets,  though  it  was  with  an  air  less  authorita 
tive  and  assured,  than  before  the  open  promulgation 
of  the  opinions  of  Luther  had  brought  into  question 
so  manv  of  the  practices  of  the  prevailing  Church* 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

•Thus  I  renounce  the  world  and  worldly  things." 

ROGERS. 

IT  will  be  remembered,  that  the  time  of  this  tale 
was  in  the  winning  month  of  June.  When  the  sun 
had  fallen  beneath  those  vast  and  fertile  plains  of 
the  west,  among  which  the  Rhine  winds  its  way,  a 
swift  and  turbid  though  noble  current,  that,  like 
some  bold  mountaineer,  has  made  a  descent  from 
the  passes  of  Switzerland,  to  gather  tribute  from 
every  valley  on  his  passage,  there  remained  in  the 
air  the  bland  and  seductive  warmth  of  the  season. — 
Still  the  evening  was  not  a  calm  moonlight  night,  like 
those  which  grace  a  more  alluring  climate;  but 
there  reigned  in  its  quiet,  a  character  of  sombre 
repose  that  constantly  reminded  all  of  the  hour.  It 
seemed  a  moment  more  adapted  to  rest  than  to  in 
dulgence.  The  simple  habits  of  Deurckheim  caused 


254  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

its  burghers  to  shut  their  doors  early,  and,  as  usual, 
the  gates  of  the  town  were  closed  when  the  bells 
sounded  the  stroke  of  eight.  The  peasants  of  the 
Jaegerthal  had  not  even  waited  so  long,  before  they 
sought  their  beds. 

It  was,  however,  near  ten,  when  a  private  door 
in  the  dwelling  of  Heinrich  Frey  opened,  and  a 
party  of  three  individuals  issued  into  the  street.  All 
were  so  closely  muffled  as  effectually  to  conceai 
their  persons.  The  leader,  a  man,  paused  to  see 
that  the  way  was  clear,  and  then,  beckoning  to  his 
companions,  who  were  of  the  other  sex,  to  follow, 
he  pursued  his  way  within  the  shadows  thrown  from 
the  houses.  It  was  not  long  ere  they  all  reached 
the  gate  of  the  town,  which  opened  to  the  hill  of 
the  Heidenmauer. 

There  was  a  stronger  watch  afoot  that  night,  than 
was  usual  in  Deurckheim,  though  the  city,  and  es 
pecially  at  a  moment  when  armies  ravaged  the 
Palatinate,  was  never  left  without  a  proper  guard. 
A  few  armed  men  paced  the  street,  at  the  point 
where  it  terminated  with  the  defences,  and  a  sentinel 
was  visible  on  the  superior  wall. 

"  Who  cometh  V9  demanded  an  arquebusier. 

The  muffled  man  approached,  and  spoke  to  the 
leader  of  the  guard  in  a  low  voice.  It  would  seem, 
that  he  spoke  him  fair ;  for  no  sooner  did  he  utter 
the  little  he  had  to  say,  than  a  bustle  among  the 
citizens  announced  an  eager  desire  to  do  his  plea 
sure.  The  keys  were  produced,  and  a  way  made 
for  the  exit  of  the  party.  But  the  man  went  no 
farther.  Having  procured  the  egress  of  his  compan 
ions,  he  returned  into  the  town,  stopping,  however, 
to  hold  discourse  with  those  on  watch,  before  he 
disappeared. 

When  without  the  gate,  the  femalesbegan  to  a  scend. 
The  way  was  difficult,  for  it  lay  among  terraces 
and  vineyards,  by  means  of  winding  narrow  foot 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  255 

paths,  and,  as  it  appeared,  the  limbs  of  those  who 
were  now  obliged  to  thread  them,  felt  all  the  diffi 
culties  of  the  steep  acclivity.  At  length,  though  not 
without  often  stopping  to  breathe  and  rest,  they 
reached  the  fallen  pile  of  the  ancient  wall  of  the 
camp.  Here  both  seated  themselves,  to  recover 
their  strength,  in  profound  silence.  They  had 
mounted  by  means  of  a  path  that  conducted  them 
towards  that  extremity  of  the  mountain  which  over 
looked  the  valley  of  our  tale. 

The  sky  was  covered  with  fleecy  clouds,  that  dim 
med  the  light  of  the  moon  so  as  to  render  objects 
beneath  uncertain  and  dull ;  though  occasionally  the 
mild  orb  seemed  to  sail  into  a  little  field  of  blue, 
shedding  all  its  light  below.  But  these  momentary 
illuminations  were  too  fitful  to  permit  the  eye  to  be 
come  accustomed  to  the  change,  and  ere  any  saw 
distinctly,  the  driving  vapor  would  again  intercept 
the  rays.  To  this  melancholy  character  of  the  hour, 
must  be  added  the  plaintive  sound  of  a  night-breeze, 
which  audibly  rustled  the  cedars. 

A  heavy  respiration  from  the  one  of  the  two  who, 
by  her  air  and  attire,  was  evidently  the  superior, 
was  taken  by  the  other  as  a  permission  to  speak. 

"  Well,  thrice  in  my  life  have  I  mounted  this  hili, 
at  night !"  she  said :  "  and  few  of  my  years  could 
do  the  deed,  by  the  light  of  the  sun " 

"  Hist,  Use !   Hearest  thou  naught  uncommon  ?" 

"  Naught  but  mine  own  voice,  which,  for  so  mute 
a  person,  is,  in  sooth,  of  little  wont, — " 

"  Truly,  there  is  other  sound  !  Come  hither  to  the 
ruin ;  I  fear  we  are  abroad  at  a  perilous  moment !" 

As  both  arose,  there  was  but  a  minute  oefore  their 
persons  were  concealed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  ren- 
ler  it  little  probable  that  any  but  a  very  curious  eye 
tfould  remark  their  presence.  It  was  evident  that 
nany  footsteps  were  approaching,  and  nearly  in 
rieir  direction.  Use  trembled,  but  her  companion, 


256  THE  IIEIDENMAUER. 

more  self-possessed,  and  better  supported  by  her 
reason,  was  as  much  or  even  more  excited  by  curi 
osity  than  by  fear.  The  ruined  hut,  in  which  they 
stood,  was  within  the  cover  of  the  cedars,  where 
a  dull  light  alone  penetrated.  By  means  of  this 
light,  however,  a  band  of  men  was  seen  moving 
across  the  camp.  They  came  in  pairs,  and  their 
march  was  swift  and  nearly  noiseless.  The  glitter- 
»ng  of  a  morion,  as  it  passed  beneath  some  opening 
in  the  trees,  and  the  reclining  arquebuses,  no  less 
than  their  order,  showed  them  to  be  warriors. 

The  line  was  long,  extending  to  some  hundreds 
of  men.  They  came,  in  this  swift  and  silent  man 
ner,  from  the  direction  of  the  Jaegerthal,  and  passed 
away,  among  the  melancholy  cedars,  in  that  of  the 
plain  of  the  Rhine. 

When  the  last  of  this  long  and  ghost-like  band 
nad  disappeared,  Use  appeared  to  revive. 

"  In  very  sooth,"  she  said,  "  they  seem  to  be 
men  !  Do  they,  too,  come  to  visit  the  Holy  Hermit  I9' 

"  Believe  it  not.  They  have  gone  down  by  the 
rear  of  Deurckheim,  and  will  soon  be  beyond  our 
wishes,  or  our  fears." 

"  Lady !  Of  what  origin  are  they — and  on  what 
errand  do  they  come  ?" 

This  exclamation  of  old  Use  sufficiently  betrayed 
the  nature  of  her  own  doubts,  though  the  firmness 
of  her  companion's  manner  proved  that,  now  the 
armed  men  were  gone,  she  no  longer  felt  distrust. 

"  This  may,  or  may  not,  be  a  happy  omen,"  she 
answered,  musingly.  "  There  was  a  goodly  num 
ber,  and  warriors,  too,  of  fair  appearance  !" 

"  Thrice  have  I  visited  this  camp  at  night,  and 
never  before  has  it  been  my  fate  to  view  its  tenants! 
Thinkest  thou  they  were  Romans — or  are  they  the 
followers  of  the  Hun  ?" 

"  They  were  living  men — but  let  us  not  forget 
our  errand." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  257 

Without  permitting  further  discourse,  the  superior 
of  the  two  then  took  the  way  towards  the  hut  of  the 
Hermit.  At  first  her  footstep  was  timid  and  unas 
sured  ;  for,  strengthened  as  she  was  by  reflection 
and  knowledge,  the  sudden  and  sprite-like  passage 
of  such  a  line  of  warriors  across  the  deserted  camp, 
was  indeed  likely  to  affect  the  confidence  of  one 
even  more  bold. 

"  Rest  thy  old  limbs  on  this  bit  of  fallen  wall,  good 
nurse,"  said  the  muffled  female,  "  while  I  go  within. 
Thou  wilt  await  me  here." 

"  Go,  of  Heaven's  mercy !  and  speak  the  holy 
Anchorite  fair.  Take  what  thou  canst  of  comfort 
and  peace  for  thine  own  soul,  and  if  there  should  be 
a  blessing,  or  a  relic  more  than  thou  needest,  re 
member  her  who  fondled  thy  infancy,  and  who,  I 
may  say,  and  say  it  I  do  with  pride,  made  thee  the 
woman  of  virtue  and  merit  thou  art." 

"  God  be  with  thee — and  with  me !"  murmured 
the  female,  as  she  moved  slowly  away. 

The  visitor  of  the  Anchorite  hesitated  at  the  dooi 
of  his  hut.  Encouraged  by  sounds  within,  and  cer 
tain  that  the  holy  man  was  still  afoot,  by  the  strong 
light  that  shone  through  the  fissures  of  the  wall,  she 
at  length  summoned  resolution  to  knock. 

"  Enter,  of  God's  will !"  returned  a  voice  from 
within. 

The  door  opened,  and  the  female  stood  confront 
ed  to  the  person  of  the  Anchorite.  The  cloak  and 
hood  both  fell  from  the  female's  head,  as  by  an  in 
voluntary  weakness  of  her  hands — and  each  stood 
gazing  long,  wistfully,  and  perhaps  in  doubt,  at  the 
other.  The  female,  more  prepared  for  the  interview, 
was  the  first  to  speak. 

"  Odo  !"  she  said,  with  melancholy  emphasis. 

"Uirike!" 

Eye  then  studied  eye,  in  that  eager  and  painfth 
gaze,  with  which  the  memory  traces  the  changes 
Y2 


258  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

that  time  and  the  passions  produce  in  the  human 
face.  In  that  of  Ulrike,  however,  there  was  little 
to  be  noted  but  the  development  of  more  mature 
womanhood,  with  such  a  shadowing  of  thought  as 
deeper  reflection  and  diminished  hopes  are  apt  to 
bring  ;  but,  had  she  not  been  apprized  of  the  person 
of  him  she  sought,  and  had  her  memory  not  retained 
so  vivid  an  impression  of  the  past,  it  is  probable 
that  the  wife  of  Heinrich  Frey  might  not  have  re 
cognized  the  features  of  the  gayest  and  handsomest 
cavalier  of  the  Palatinate,  in  the  sunken  but  still 
glowing  eye,  the  grizzled  beard,  and  the  worn  though 
bold  lineaments  of  the  Anchorite. 

"  Thou  Odo,  and  a  penitent !"  Ulrike  added. 

"  One  of  a  stricken  soul.  Thou  seest  me,  sworn 
to  mortifications  and  sorrow." 

"  If  repentance  come  at  all,  let  it  be  welcome. 
Thou  leanest  on  a  rock,  and  thy  soul  will  be  upheld." 

The  Recluse  made  a  vague  gesture,  which  his 
companion  believed  to  be  the  usual  sign  of  the  cross. 
She  meekly  imitated  the  symbol,  and,  bowing  her 
head,  repeated  an  ave.  In  all  great  changes  in  re 
ligions  and  politics,  the  spirit  of  party  attaches  im 
portance  to  immaterial  things,  which,  by  practice 
and  convention,  come  to  be  considered  as  the  evi 
dences  of  opinion.  Thus  it  is,  when  revolutions  are 
sudden  and  violent,  that  so  many  mistake  their  sym 
bols  for  their  substance,  and  men  cast  their  lives  on 
the  hazards  of  battle,  in  order  to  support  an  empty 
name,  a  particular  disposition  of  colors  in  an  ensign, 
or  some  idle  significations  of  terms  that  were  never 
well  explained,  long  after  the  real  merits  of  the 
controversy  have  been  lost  by  the  cupidity  and  false 
hood  of  those  intrusted  with  the  public  welfare ; 
and  thus  it  is,  that  here,  where  all  change  has  been 
gradual  and  certain,  that  the  neglect  of  these  trifles 
has  subjected  the  country  to  the  imputation  of  in 
consistency,  because,  in  attending  so  much  to  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  259 

substance  of  their  work,  it  has  overlooked  so  many 
of  those  outward  signs,  which,  by  being  the  instru 
ments  of  excitement  in  other  regions,  obtain  a  value 
that  has  no  influence  among  ourselves.  The  Reform 
ation  made  early  and  rude  inroads  upon  the  for 
mula  of  the  Romish  church.  The  cross  ceased  to 
be  a  sign  in  favor  with  the  Protestant ;  and,  after 
three  centuries,  it  is  just  beginning  to  be  admitted 
that  this  sacred  symbol  is  a  more  fitting  ornament 
of  one  of  "  those  silent  fingers  pointing  to  the  skies," 
which  so  touchingly  adorn  our  churches,  than  the 
representation  of  a  barn-yard  fowl!  Had  Ulrike 
been  more  critical  in>this  sort  of  distinctions,  or  had 
her  mind  been  less  occupied  with  her  own  sad  re 
flections,  she  might  have  thought  the  movement  of 
the  Hermit's  hand,  when  he  made  the  sign  alluded 
to,  had  such  a  manner  of  indecision  and  doubt,  as 
equally  denotes  one  new  in  practices  of  this  nature, 
or  one  about  to  abandon  any  long-established  ritual. 
A.S  it  was,  however,  she  noted  nothing  extraordinary, 
out  silently  took  the  seat  to  which  the  Anchorite 
pointed,  while  he  placed  himself  on  another. 

The  earnest,  wistful,  and  half  mournful  look  of 
each  was  renewed.  They  sat  apart,  with  the  torch 
throwing  its  light  fully  upon  both. 

"  Grief  hath  borne  heavily  upon  thee,  Odo,"  said 
Ulrike.  "  Thou  art  much  changed  !" 

"And  innocence  and  happiness  have  dealt  ten 
derly  by  thee  !  Thou  hast  well  merited  this  favor, 
Ulrike." 

"  Art  thou  long  of  this  manner  of  life — or  touch 
I  on  a  subject  that  may  not  be  treated  ?" 

"  I  know  not  that  I  may  refuse  to  give  the  world 
the  profit  of  my  lesson — much  less  can  I  pretend  to 
mystery  with  thee." 

"I  would  gladly  give  thee  consolation.  Thou 
gnowest  there  is  great  comfort  in  sympathy." 


260  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Thy  pity  is  next  to  the  love  of  angels— but  why 
speak  of  this  ?  Thou  art  in  the  hut  of  a  Hermit 
condemned,  of  his  own  conscience,  to  privation  and 
penitence.  Go  to  thy  happy  home,  and  leave  me 
to  the  solemn  duty  which  1  have  allotted  to  be  done 
this  night." 

As  he  spoke,  the  Anchorite  folded  his  head  in  a 
mantle  of  coarse  cloth,  for  he  was  evidently  clad 
to  go  abroad,  and  he  groaned. 

"  Nay,  Odo,  I  quit  thee  not,  in  this  humor  of  thy 
mind.  The  sight  of  me  hath  added  to  thy  grief, 
and  it  were  uncharitable — more,  it  were  unkind,  to 
leave  thee  thus."  . 

"  What  wouldest  thou,  Ulrike  ?" 

"  Disburthen  thy  soul ;  this  life  of  seclusion  hath 
heaped  a  load  too  heavy  on  thy  thoughts.  Where 
hast  thou  passed  the  years  of  thy  prime,  Odo — what 
hath  brought  thee  to  this  condition  of  bitterness  ?" 

"  Hast  thou  still  so  much  of  womanly  mercy,  as 
to  feel  an  interest  in  the  fate  of  an  outcast  ?" 

The  paleness  of  Ulrike's  cheek  was  succe**<ded  by 
a  mild  glow.  It  was  no  sign  of  tumultuous  deling, 
but  a  gentle  proof  that  a  heart  like  hers  nev^r  lost 
the  affinities  it  had  once  fondly  and  warmlv  cher 
ished. 

"  Can  I  forget  the  past  ?"  she  answered.  "  Wert 
thou  not  the  friend  of  my  youth — nay,  wert  tb^u  not 
my  betrothed?" 

"  And  dost  thou  acknowledge  those  long-che*»shed 
ties  ?  Oh  Ulrike !  with  what  maddened  folly  did  I 
throw  away  a  jewel  beyond  price !  But  listen  and 
thou  shalt  know  in  what  manner  God  hath  ave»<ed 
himself  and  thee." 

The  Burgomaster's  wife,  though  secretly  much 
agitated,  sat  patiently  awaiting,  while  the  Hernoit 
seemed  preparing  his  mind  for  the  revelation  he  v^si 
about  to  make. 

"  Thou  hast  no  need  to  hear  aught  of  my  youtj    ' 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  261 

he  at  length  commenced.  "  Thou  well  knowest  that, 
an  orphan  from  childhood,  of  no  mean  estate,  and 
of  noble  birth,  I  entered  on  life  exposed  to  all  the 
hazards  that  beset  the  young  and  thoughtless.  I  had 
most  of  the  generous  impulses  of  one  devoid  of  care, 
and  a  heart  that  was  not  needlessly  shut  against 
sympathy  with  the  injured,  and,  I  think,  I  may  say 
one  that  was  not  closed  against  compassion " 

"  Thou  dost  not  justice  to  thyself,  Odo !  Say  that 
thy  hand  was  open,  and  thy  heart  filled  with  gentle 
ness." 

The  Anchorite,  humbled  as  he  was  by  penitence 
and  self-devotion,  did  not  hear  this  opinion,  uttered 
by  lips  so  gentle  and  so  true,  without  a  change  of 
features.  His  eye  lighted,  and  for  a  moment  it  gazed 
towards  his  companion  with  some  of  its  former 
bright  youthful  expression.  But  the  change  escaped 
Ulrike,*who  was  occupied  with  the  generous  impulse 
that  caused  her,  thus  involuntarily,  to  vindicate  the 
Hermit  to  himself. 

"It  might  have  been  so,"  the  latter  resumed,  coldly, 
after  a  moment  of  thought ;  "  but  in  youth,  unless 
watched  and  wisely  directed,  our  best  qualities  may 
become  instruments  of  our  fall.  I  was  of  violent 
passions  above  all;  miserable  traces  in  that  unerring 
index,  the  countenance,  prove  how  violent !" 

Ulrike  had  no  answer  to  this  remark  ;  for  she  had 
felt  how  easy  it  is  for  the  strong  of  character  to 
attach  the  mild,  and  how  common  it  is  for  the  human 
heart  to  set  value  on  qualities  that  serve  to  throw  its 
own  into  reKef. 

"  When  I  knew  thee,  Ulrike,  the  influence  of  thy 
gentleness,  the  interest  thou  gavest  me  reason  to 
believe  thou  felt  in  my  happiness,  and  the  reverence 
which  the  young  of  our  sex  so  readily  pay  to  in 
nocence,  and  beauty,  and  faith,  in  thine,  served  to 
tame  the  lion  of  my  reckless  temper,  and  to  bring 
me,  for  a  time,  in  subjection  to  thy  gentleness." 


262  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

His  companion  looked  grateful  for  his  praise,  but 
she  remained  silent. 

"  The  tie  between  the  young  and  guiltless  is  one 
of  nature's  holiest  mysteries  !  I  loved  thee,  Ulrike, 
purely,  and  in  perfect  faith !  The  reverence  I  bear, 
here  in  my  solitude  and  penance,  to  these  signs  of 
sacred  character,  is  not  deeper,  less  tinctured  with 
human  passion,  or  more  fervent,  than  the  respect  I 
felt  for  thy  virgin  innocence  !" 

Ulrike  trembled,  but  it  was  like  the  leaf  quivering 
at  the  passage  of  a  breath  of  air. 

"  For  this  I  gave  thee  credit,  Odo,"  she  whispered, 
evidently  afraid  to  trust  her  voice. 

"  Thou  didst  me  justice.  When  thy  parents  con 
sented  to  our  union,  I  looked  forward  to  the  mar 
riage  with  blessed  hope ;  for  young  though  I  was,  I 
so  well  understood  myself,  as  to  foresee  that  some 
spirit,  persuasive,  good,  and  yet  firm  as  thine,  was 
necessary  to  tame  me.  Woman  winds  herself  about 
the  heart  of  man  by  her  tenderness,  nay,  by  her 
very  dependence,  in  a  manner  to  effect  that  which 
his  pride  would  refuse  to  a  power  more  evident. 

"And  couldst  thou  feel  all  this?" 

"  Ulrike,  I  felt  more,  was  convinced  of  more, 
and  dreaded  more,  than  I  ever  dared  avow.  But 
all  feelings  of  pride  are  now  past.  What  further 
shall  I  say  ?  Thou  knowest  the  manner  in  which 
bold  spirits  began  to  assail  the  mysteries  and  dogmas 
of  the  venerable  Church  that  has  so  long  governed 
Christendom,  and  that  some  were  so  hardy  as  to 
anticipate  the  reasonings  and  changes  of  more  pru 
dent  heads,  by  rash  acts.  'Tis  ever  thus  with  young 
and  heated  reformers  of  abuses.  Seeing  naught 
but  the  wrong,  they  forget  the  means  by  which  it 
has  been  produced,  and  overlook  the  sufficient 
causes  which  may  mitigate,  if  they  do  not  jkistit»r 
the  evil." 

"  And  this  unhappily  was  thy  temper  ?" 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  263 

"  I  deny  it  not.  Young,  and  without  knowledge 
of  the  various  causes  that  temper  every  theory 
when  reduced  to  practice,  I  looked  eagerly  to  tne 
end  alone." 

Though  Ulrike  longed  to  extort  some  apology 
from  the  penitent  for  his  own  failings,  she  continued 
silent.  After  minutes  of  thought,  the  discourse  at 
length  proceeded. 

"  There  were  some  among  thy  friends,  Odo,  who 
believed  the  outrage  less  than  the  convent  reported  ?" 

"  They  trusted  too  much  to  their  wishes,"  said 
the  Anchorite,  in  a  subdued  tone.  "It  is  most  true, 
that,  heated  with  wine,  and  maddened  with  anger,  I 
did  violence,  in  presence  of  my  armed  followers,  to 
those  sacred  elements  which  Catholics  so  reverence. 
Jn  a  moment  of  inebriated  frenzy,  I  believed  the 
hoarse  applause  of  drunken  parasites,  and  the  con 
fusion  of  a  priest,  of  more  account  than  the  just 
anger  of  God  !  I  impiously  trampled  on  the  host, 
and  sorely  hath  God  since  trampled  on  my  spirit !" 

"  Poor  Odo  ! — That  wicked  act  changed  the  course 
of  both  our  lives !  and  dost  thou  now  adore  that 
Being  to  whom  this  great  indignity  was  offered — 
Hast  thy  mind  returned  to  the  faith  of  thy  youth  1" 

"  Tis  not  necessary,  in  order  to  feel  the  burthen 
of  my  guilt !"  exclaimed  the  Anchorite,  whose  eye 
began  to  lose  the  human  expression  which  had  been 
kindled  by  communion  with  this  gentle  being,  in 
gleamings  of  a  remorse  that  had  been  so  long 
fed  by  habits  of  morbid  devotion.  "  Is  not  the  Lord 
of  the  universe  my  God  ?  The  insult  was  to  him  ; 
whether  there  be  error  in  this  or  that  form  of  devo 
tion,  I  was  in  his  temple,  at  the  foot  of  his  altar,  in 
the  presence  of  his  spirit — There  did  I  mock  his 
rule,  and  defy  his  power ;  and  this  for  a  silly  triumph 
over  a  terrified  monk !" 

"Heart-stricken  Odo!  Where  soughtest  thou 
refuge,  after  the  frantic  act  ?" 


264  THE  HEIDENMAUER 


Anchorite  looked  intently  at  his  companion, 
as  if  a  flood  of  distressing  and  touching  images 
were  pressing  painfully  upon  his  memory.  "  My 
first  thought  was  of  thee,"  he  said;  "the  rash  blow 
of  my  sword  was  no  sooner  given,  than  it  seemed 
suddenly  to  open  an  abyss  between  us.  I  knew  thy 
gentle  piety,  and  could  not,  even  in  that  moment  of 
frenzy,  deceive  myself  as  to  thy  decision.  When 
in  a  place  of  safety,  I  wrote  the  letter  which  thou 
answered,  and  which  answer  was  so  firm  and  ad 
mirable  a  mixture  of  holy  horror  and  womanly 
feeling.  When  thou  renounced  me,  I  became  a 
vagrant  on  earth,  and  from  that  hour  to  the  moment 
of  my  return  hither,  have  I  been  a  wanderer.  Much 
influence  and  heavy  fines  saved  my  estates,  which 
the  life  of  a  pilgrim  and  a  soldier  has  greatly  aug 
mented,  but  never  till  this  summer  have  I  felt  the 
courage  necessary  to  revisit  the  scenes  of  my  youth." 

"  And  whither  strayed  thou,  Odo  ?" 

"  I  have  sought  relief  in  every  device  of  man  :  — 
the  gaiety  and  dissipation  of  capitals  —  hermitages 
(for  this  is  but  the  fourth  of  which  I  am  the  tenant) 
—  arms  —  and  rude  hazards  by  sea.  Of  late  have  I 
much  occupied  myself  in  the  defence  of  Rhodes, 
that  unhappy  and  fallen  bulwark  of  Christendom. 
But  wherever  I  have  dwelt,  or  in  whatever  occupa 
tion  I  have  sought  relief,  the  recollection  of  my 
crime,  and  of  its  punishment,  pursues  me.  Ulrike,  I 
am  a  man  of  woe  !" 

"Nay,  dear  Odo,  there  is  mercy  for  offenders 
more  heavy  than  thou.  Thou  wilt  return  to  thy 
long-deserted  castle,  and  be  at  peace." 

"  And  thou,  Ulrike  !  hath  my  crime  caused  thee 
sorrow  ?  Thou,  at  least,  art  happy  ?" 

The  question  caused  the  wife  of  Heinrich  Frey 
uneasiness.  Her  sentiments  towards  Odo  von  Ritter- 
stein  had  partaken  of  passion,  and  were  still  clothed 
with  hues  of  the  imagination  ;  while  her  attachment 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  265 

to  the  Burgomaster  ran  in  the  smoother  channel  of 
duty  and  habit : — Still  time,  a  high  sense  of  her  sex's 
obligations,  and  the  common  bond  of  Meta,  kept 
her  feelings  in  the  subdued  state  which  most  fitted 
her  present  condition.  Had  her  will  been  consulted, 
she  would  not  have  touched  on  this  portion  of  the 
subject  at  all ;  but  since  it  was  introduced,  she  felt 
the  absolute  necessity  of  meeting  it  with  composure. 

"  I  am  happy  in  an  honest  husband  and  an  affec 
tionate  child,"  she  said;  "set  thy  heart  at  rest  on 
this  account — we  were  not  fitted  for  each  other, 
Odo;  thy  birth,  alone,  offered  obstacles  we  might 
not  properly. have  overcome." 

The  Anchorite  bowed  his  head,  appearing  to 
respect  her  reserve.  The  silence  that  succeeded 
was  not  free  from  embarrassment  It  was  relieved 
by  the  tones  of  a  bell  that  came  from  the  hill  of 
Limburg.  The  Anchorite  arose,  and  all  other  feel 
ing  was  evidently  lost  in  a  sudden  return  of  that 
diseased  repentance  which  had  so  long  haunted  him, 
and  which,  in  truth,  had  more  than  once  gone  nigh 
to  unsettle  his  reason. 

"  That  signal,  Ulrike,  is  for  me." 

"  And  dost  thou  go  forth  to  Limburg  at  this  hour  ?" 

"  An  humble  penitent  I  have  made  my  peace 
with  the  Benedictines  by  means  of  gold,  and  I  go 
to  struggle  for  my  peace  with  God.  This  is  the 
anniversary  of  my  crime,  and  there  will  be  mid 
night  masses  for  its  expiation." 

The  wife  of  Heinrich  Frey  heard  of  his  intention 
without  surprise,  though  she  regretted  the  sudden 
interruption  of  their  interview. 

"  Odo,  thy  blessing !"  said  Ulrike,  kneeling. 

"  Thou,  ask  this  mockery  of  me !"  cried  the  Her 
mit,  wildly. — "Go,  Ulrike ! — leave  me  with  my  sins." 

The  Anchorite  appeared  irresolute  for  a  moment, 
and  then  he  rushed  madly  from  the  hut,  leaving  the 
wife  of  Heinrich  Frey  still  kneeling  in  its  centre. 
Z 


206  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Mona,  thy  Druid  rites  awake  the  dead ! 

ROGERS. 

ULRIKE  was  in  the  habit  of  making  frequent  and 
earnest  appeals  to  God,  and  she  now  prayed  fer 
vently,  where  she  knelt.  Her  attention  was  recalled 
to  earth,  by  a  violent  shaking  of  the  shoulder. 

"  Ulrike,  child  ! — Frau  Frey  1"  exclaimed  the  as 
siduous  Use. — "  Art  glued  to  the  ground  by  necro 
mancy  ?  Why  art  thou  here,  and  whither  hath  the 
holy  man  sped  ?" 

"  Sawest  thou  Odo  von  Ritterstein  ?" 

"  Whom  !  Art  mad,  Frau  ?  I  saw  none  but  the 
blessed  Anchorite,  who  passed  me  an'  he  were  an 
angel  taking  wing  for  heaven;  and  though  I  knelt 
and  beseeched  but  a  look  of  grace,  his  soul  was  too 
much  occupied  with  its  mission  to  note  a  sinner. 
Had  I  been  evil  as  some  that  might  be  named,  this 
slight  might  give  some  alarm;  but  being  that  I  am, 
I  set  it  down  rather  to  the  account  of  merit  than  to 
that  of  any  need.  Nay,  I  saw  naught  but  the 
Hermit." 

"  Then  didst  thou  see  the  unhappy  Herr  von  Ritter- 
stein !" 

Use  stood  aghast.      :;  / 

"  Have  we  harbored  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing ." 
she  cried,  when  the  power  of  speech  returned. 
"  Hath  the  Palatinate  knelt,  and  wept,  and  prayed  at 
the  feet  of  a  sinner,  like  ourselves— nay,  even  worse 
than  ourselves,  after  all !  Hath  what  hath  passed 
for  true  coin  been  naught  but  base  metal — our  unc 
tion,  hypocrisy — our  hopes,  wicked  delusions — our 
holy  pride,  vanity  ?" 

"  Thou  sawest  Odo  von  Ritterstein,  Use,"  returned 
Ulrike,  rising,  "but  thou  sawest  a  devout  man."  *./ 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  267 

Then  giving  her  arm  to  the  nurse,  for  of  the  two 
the  attendant  most  required  assistance,  she  took  the 
way  from  the  hut.  While  walking  among  the  fallen 
walls  of  the  deserted  camp,  Ulrike  endeavored  to 
bring  her  companion  to  consider  the  character  and 
former  sins  of  the  Anchorite  with  more  lenity.  The 
task  was  not  easy,  for  Use  had  been  accustomed  to 
think  the  truant  Odo  altogether  abandoned  of  God, 
and  opinions  that  have  been  pertinaciously  main 
tained  for  twenty  years,  are  not  gotten  rid  of  in  a 
moment.  Still  there  is  a  process  by  which  the  hu 
man  mind  can  be  made  to  do  more  than  justice, 
when  prejudice  is  finally  eradicated.  It  is  by  this 
species  of  reaction,  that  we  see  the  same  individuals 
now  reprobated  as  monsters,  and  now  admired  as 
heroes ;  the  common  sentiment  as  rarely  doing  strict 
justice  in  excessive  applause  as  in  excessive  con 
demnation. 

We  do  not  mean  to  say,  however,  that  the 
sentiment  of  Use  towards  the  Anchorite  underwent 
this  violent  revulsion  from  detestation  to  reverence  ; 
for  the  utmost  that  Ulrike  could  obtain  in  his  fa 
vor,  was  an  admission  that  he  was  a  sinner  in 
whose  behalf  all  devout  Christians  might  without 
any  manifest  impropriety  occasionally  say  an  ave. 
^his  small  concession  of  Use  sufficiently  favored  the 
wishes  of  her  mistress,  which  were  to  follow  the 
Hermit  to  the  Abbey  church,  to  kneel  at  its  altars, 
and  to  mingle  her  prayers  with  those  of  the  penitent, 
on  this  the  anniversary  of  his  crime,  for  pardon 
and  peace.  We  pretend  not  to  show  by  what  cord 
of  human  infirmity  the  wife  of  Heinrich  Frey  was 
led  into  the  indulgence  of  a  sympathy  so  delicate, 
with  one  to  whom  her  hand  had  formerly  been 
plighted ;  for  we  are  not  acting  here  in  the  capacity 
of  censors  of  female  propriety,  but  as  those  who 
endeavor  to  expose  the  workings  of  the  heart,  be 
they  for  good  or  be  they  for  evil.  Tt  is  sufficient 


268  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

for  our  object,  that  the  result  of  the  whole  picture 
shall  be  a  lesson  favorable  to  virtue  and  truth. 

So  soon  as  Ulrike  found  she  could  lead  her  com 
panion  in  the  way  she  wished,  without  incurring  the 
risk  of  listening  to  stale  morals  dealt  out  with  a 
profuse  garrulity,  she  took  the  path  directly  towards 
the  convent.  As  the  reader  has  most  probably  pe 
rused  our  Introduction,  there  is  no  necessity  of  say 
ing  more  than  that  Ulrike  and  her  attendant  pro 
ceeded  by  the  route  we  ourselves  took  in  going  from 
one  mountain  to  the  other.  But  the  progress  of  Use 
was  far  slower  than  that  described  as  our  own,  in 
ascending  to  the  Heidenmauer  under  the  guidance 
of  Christian  Kinzel.  The  descent  itself  was  long 
and  slow,  for  one  of  her  infirmities  and  years,  and 
the  ascent  far  more  tedious  and  painful.  During 
the  latter,  even  Ulrike  was  glad  to  halt  often,  to 
recover  breath,  though  they  went  up  by  the  horse 
path  over  which  they  had  ridden  in  the  morning. 

The  character  of  the  night  had  not  changed. 
The  moon  appeared  to  wade  among  fleecy  clouds 
as  before,  and  the  light  was  misty  but  sufficient  to 
render  the  path  distinct.  At  this  hour,  the  pile  of 
the  convent  loomed  against  the  sky,  with  its  dark 
Gothic  walls  and  towers,  resembling  a  work  of 
giants,  in  which  those  who  had  reared  the  structure 
were  reposing  from  their  labors.  Accustomed  as 
she  was  to  worship  at  its  altars,  Ulrike  did  not  now 
approach  the  gate  without  a  sentiment  of  admiration. 
She  raised  her  eyes  to  the  closed  portal,  to  the  long 
ranges  of  dark  and  sweeping  walls,  and  every 
where  she  met  evidences  of  midnight  tranquillity. 
There  was  a  faint  glow  upon  the  side  of  the  narrow 
giddy  tower,  that  contained  the  bells,  and  which 
flanked  the  gate;  and  she  knew  that  it  came  from  a 
lamp  that  burnt  before  the  image  of  the  Virgin  in 
the  court.  This  gave  no  sign  that  even  the  porter 
was  awake.  She  stepped,  however,  to  the  wicket, 


THE  HEFDENMAUER. 


269 


and  rang  the  night-bell.    The  grating  of  the  bolts 
quickly  announced  the  presence  of  one  within. 

"  Who  cometh  to  Limburg  at  this  hour  ?"  demand 
ed  the  porter,  holding  the  wicket  chained,  as  if  dis 
trusting  treachery. 

"A  penitent  to  pray." 

The  tones  of  the  voice  assured  the  keeper  of  the 
gate,  who  had  means  also  of  examining  the  stranger 
with  the  eye,  and  he  so  far  opened  the  wicket  as  to 
permit  the  form  of  Ulrike  to  be  distinctly  seen. 

"  It  is  not  usual  to  admit  thy  sex  within  these 
holy  walls,  after  the  morning  mass  hath  been  said, 
and  the  confessionals  are  empty." 

"  There  are  occasions  on  which  the  rule  may  be 
broken,  and  the  solemn  ceremony  of  to-night  is  one." 

"  I  know  not  that. — Our  reverend  Abbot  is  severe 
in  the  observance  of  all  decencies, — " 

"  Nay,  I  am  one  closely  allied  to  him  in  whose 
behalf  this  service  is  given,"  said  Ulrike,  hastily. — 
"  Repel  me  not,  for  the  love  of  God !" 

"  Art  thou  of  his  kin  and  blood  ?" 

"  Not  of  that  tie,"  she  answered,  in  the  checked 
manner  of  one  who  felt  her  own  precipitation,  "but 
bound  to  his  hopes  by  the  near  interests  of  affection 
and  sympathy." 

She  paused,  for  at  that  instant  the  form  of  the 
Anchorite  filled  the  space  beside  the  porter.  He 
had  been  kneeling  before  the  image  of  a  crucifix 
hard  by,  and  had  been  called  from  his  prayers  by 
the  soft  appeal  that  betrayed  Ulrike's  interest  in  him, 
very  tone  of  which  went  to  his  heart. 

"She  is  mine,"   he   said,  authoritatively; — "she 
nd  her  attendant  are  both  mine. — Let  them  enter  !" 

Ulrike  hesitated — she  scarce  knew  why, — and 
Use,  wearied  with  her  efforts,  and  impatient  to  be  at 
rest,  was  obliged  to  impel  her  forward.  The  Her 
mit,  as  if  suddenly  recalled  to  the  duty  on  which 
iie  had  come  to  the  convent,  turned  and  glided  away 
Z  2 


270  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

The  porter,  who  had  received  his  instructions  rela 
tive  to  him  for  whom  the  mass  was  to  be  said,  of 
fered  no  further  obstacle,  but  permitted  Use  to  con 
duct  her  mistress  within.  No  sooner  were  the  fe 
males  in  the  court,  than  he  closed  and  barred  the 
wicket. 

Ulrike  hesitated  no  longer,  though  she  trembled 
in  every  limb.  Dragging  the  loitering  Use  after  her 
with  difficulty,  she  took  the  way  directly  towards  the 
door  of  the  chapel.  With  the  exception  of  the 
porter  at  the  wicket,  and  the  lamp  before  the  Vir 
gin,  all  seemed  as  dim  and  still  within  as  it  had  been 
without  the  Abbey-walls.  Not  even  a  sentinel  of 
Duke  Friedrich's  men-at-arms  was  visible ;  but  this 
occasioned  no  surprise,  as  these  troops  were  known 
to  keep  as  much  aloof  from  the  more  religious  part 
of  the  tenants  of  Limburg,  as  was  possible.  The 
spacious  buildings,  in  the  rear  of  the  Abbot's  dwell 
ing,  might  well  have  lodged  double  their  number, 
and  in  these  it  was  probable  they  were  now  housed. 
As  for  the  monks,  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  and  the 
nature  of  the  approaching  service,  fully  accounted 
for  their  absence. 

The  door  of  the  Abbey-church  was  always  open. 
This  usage  is  nearly  common  to  every  Catholic  place 
of  worship  in  towns  of  any  size,  and  it  contains  an 
affecting  appeal,  to  the  passenger,  to  remember  the 
Being  in  whose  honor  the  temple  has  been  raised. 
The  custom  is,  in  general,  turned  to  account  equally 
by  the  pious  and  the  inquisitive,  the  amateur  of  the 
arts,  and  the  worshipper  of  God ;  and  it  is  to  be  re 
gretted  that  the  former,  more  especially  when  they 
belong  to  a  different  persuasion  or  sect,  should  not  \ 
oftener  remember,  that  their  taste  becomes  bad, 
when  it  is  indulged  at  the  expense  of  that  reverence, 
which  should  mark  all  the  conduct  of  man  in  thei 
immediate  presence  of  his  Creator.  On  the  present 
occasion,  however,  there  were  none  present  to 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  271 

treat  either  the  altar  or  its  worship  with  levity. 
When  Ulrike  and  Use  entered  the  chapel,  the  candles 
of  the  great  altar  were  lighted,  and  the  lamps  of 
the  choir  threw  a  gloomy  illumination  on  its  sombre 
architecture.  The  fretted  and  painted  vault  above, 
the  carved  oak  of  the  stalls,  the  images  of  the  altar, 
and  the  grave  and  kneeling  warriors  in  stone,  that 
decorated  the  tombs,  stood  out  prominent  in  the  re 
lief  of  their  own  deep  shadows. 

If  it  be  desirable  to  quicken  devotion  by  physical 
auxiliaries,  surely  all  that  was  necessary  to  reduce 
'he  mind  to  deep  and  contemplative  awe  existed 
nere.  The  officials  of  the  altar  swept  past  the  gor 
geous  and  consecrated  structure,  in  their  robes  of 
duty ;  grave,  expectant  monks  were  in  their  stalls, 
and  Boniface  himself  sat  on  his  throne,  mitred  and 
clad  in  vestments  of  embroidery.  It  is  possible  that 
an  inquisitive  and  hostile  eye  might  have  detected 
in  some  weary  countenance  or  heavy  eyelid,  long 
ings  for  the  pillow,  and  little  sympathy  in  the  offices ; 
but  there  were  others  who  entered  on  their  duties 
with  zeal  and  conviction.  Among  the  last  was 
Father  Arnolph,  whose  pale  features  and  thoughtful 
eye  were  seen  in  his  stall,  where  he  sat  regarding 
the  preparations  with  the  tranquil  patience  of  one 
accustomed  to  seek  his  happiness  in  the  duties  of 
his  vow.  To  him  might  be  put  in  contrast  the  un 
quiet  organs  and  severe,  rather  than  mortified,  linea 
ments  of  Father  Johan,  who  glanced  hurriedly  from 
the  altar,  and  its  rich  decorations,  to  the  spot  where 
the  Anchorite  knelt,  as  if  to  calculate  to  what  degree 
of  humiliation  and  bitterness  it  were  possible  to 
reduce  the  bruised  spirit  of  the  penitent. 

Odo  of  Ritter stein,  for  there  no  longer  remains  a 
reason  for  refusing  to  the  Anchorite  his  proper  ap 
pellation,  had  placed  himself  near  the  railing  at  the 
foot  of  the  choir,  on  his  knees,  where  he  continued 
with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  golden  vessel  that  con- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

tained  the  consecrated  host  he  had  once  outraged — • 
the  offence  which  he  had  now  come,  as  much  as  in 
him  lay,  to  expiate.  The  light  fell  but  faintly  on  his 
form,  but  it  served  to  render  every  furrow  that  grief 
and  passion  had  drawn  athwart  his  features  more 
evident.  Ulrike  studied  his  countenance,  seen  as  it 
was  in  circumstances  of  so  little  flattery;  and, 
trembling,  she  knelt  by  the  side  of  Use,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  little  gate  that  served  to  communicate 
between  the  body  of  the  church  and  the  choir.  Just 
as  she  had  assumed  this  posture,  Gottlob  stole  from 
among  the  pillars,  and  knelt  in  the  distance,  on  the 
flags  of  the  great  aisle.  He  had  come  to  the  mass 
as  a  ceremony  refused  to  none. 

So  strong  was  the  light  around  the  altar,  and  so 
obscure  the  aisles  below,  that  it  was  with  difficulty 
Bonifacius  could  assure  himself  of  the  presence  of 
him  in  whose  behalf  this  office  was  had.  But  when, 
by  contracting  his  heavy  front,  so  as  to  form  a  sort 
of  screen  of  his  shaggy  brows,  he  was  enabled  to 
distinguish  the  form  of  Odo,  he  seemed  satisfied,  and 
motioned  for  the  worship  to  proceed. 

There  is  little  need  to  repeat  the  details  of  a  cer 
emony  it  has  been  our  office  already  to  relate  in 
these  pages ;  but  as  the  music  and  other  services 
had  place  in  the  quiet  and  calm  of  midnight,  they 
were  doubly  touching  and  solemn.  There  was  the 
same  power  of  the  single  voice  as  in  the  morning, 
or  rather  on  the  preceding  day,  for  the  turn  of  the 
night  was  now  passed,  and  the  same  startling  effect 
was  produced,  even  on  those  who  were  accustomed 
to  its  thrilling  and  superhuman  melody.  As  the 
mass  proceeded,  the  groans  of  the  Anchorite  became 
so  audible,  that,  at  times,  these  throes  of  sorrow 
threatened  to  interrupt  the  ceremonies.  The  heart 
of  Ulrike  responded  to  each  sigh  that  escaped  the 
bosom  of  Odo,  and,  ere  the  first  prayers  were  ended, 
her  face  was  bathed  in  tears. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  273 

The  examination  of  the  different  countenances  of 
the  brotherhood,  during  tnis  scene,  would  have  been 
a  study  worthy  of  a  deep  inquirer  into  the  varieties 
of  human  character,  or  of  those  who  love  to  trace 
the  various  forms  in  which  the  same  causes  work 
on  different  tempers.  Each  groan  of  the  Anchorite 
lighted  the  glowing  features  of  Father  Johan  with  a 
species  of  holy  delight,  as  if  he  triumphed  in  the 
power  of  the  offices ;  and,  at  each  minute,  his  head 
was  bent  inquiringly  in  the  direction  of  the  railing, 
while  his  ear  listened  eagerly  for  the  smallest  sound 
that  might  favor  his  desires.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  workings  of  the  Prior's  features  were  those  of 
sorrow  and  sympathy.  Every  sigh  that  reached 
him  awakened  a  feeling  of  pity — blended  with  pious 
joy,  it  is  true — but  a  pity  that  was  deep,  distinct, 
and  human.  Bonifacius  listened  like  one  in  authority, 
coldly,  and  with  little  concern  in  what  passed,  be 
yond  that  which  was  attached  to  a  proper  observ 
ance  of  the  ritual ;  and,  from  time  to  time,  he  bent 
his  head  on  his  hand,  while  he  evidently  pondered 
on  things  that  had  little  connexion  with  what  was 
passing  before  his  eyes.  Others  of  the  fraternity 
manifested  more  or  less  of  devotion,  according  to 
their  several  characters;  and  a  few  found  means  to 
obtain  portions  of  sleep,  as  the  rites  admitted  of  the 
indulgence. 

In  this  manner  did  the  community  of  Limburg 
pass  the  first  hours  of  the  day,  or  rather  of  the 
morning,  that  succeeded  the  sabbath  of  this  tale.  It 
may  have  been,  afterwards,  source  of  consolation 
to  those  among  them  that  were  most  zealous  in  the 
observance  of  their  vows,  that  they  were  thus  pass 
ed  ;  for  events  were  near  that  had  a  lasting  influ 
ence  not  only  on  their  own  destinies,  but  on  those 
of  the  very  region  in  which  they  dwelt. 

The  strains  of  the  last  hymn  were  rising  into  the 
vault  above  the  choir,  when,  amid  the  calm  that 


274  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

exquisite  voice  never  failed  to  produce,  there  came 
a  low  rushing  sound,  which  might  have  been  taken 
for  the  murmuring  of  wind,  or  for  the  suppressed 
hum  of  a  hundred  voices.  When  it  was  first  heard, 
stealing  among  the  ribbed  arches  of  the  chapel,  the 
cow-herd  arose  from  his  knees,  and  disappeared  in 
the  gloomy  depths  of  the  church.  The  monks  turned 
their  heads,  as  by  a  general  impulse,  to  listen,  but 
the  common  action  was  as  quickly  succeeded  by 
grave  attention  to  the  rites.  Bonifacius,  indeed, 
seemed  uneasy,  though  it  was  like  a  man  who  scarce 
knew  why.  His  gray  eyes  roamed  over  the  body 
of  darkness  that  reigned  among  the  distant  columns 
of  the  church,  and  then  they  settled,  with  vacancy, 
on  the  gorgeous  vessels  of  the  altar.  The  hymn 
continued,  and  its  soothing  power  appeared  to  quiet 
every  mind,  when  the  sound  of  tumult  at  the  great 
gate  of  the  outer  wall  became  too  audible  and  dis 
tinct  to  admit  of  doubt.  The  whole  brotherhood 
arose  as  a  man,  and  the  voice  of  the  singer  was 
mute.  Ulrike  clasped  her  hands  in  agony,  while 
even  Odo  of  Ritterstein  forgot  his  grief,  in  the  rude 
nature  of  the  interruption. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  275 


CHAPTER  XVHL 

"  Thy  reason,  dear  venom,  give  thy  reason  !'* 

Twelfth  Night. 

IT  is  scarcely  necessary  to  explain,  that  the  man 
who  had  accompanied  Ulrike  and  Use  to  the  gate 
of  Deurckheim,  was  Heinrich  Frey.  No  sooner 
had  his  wife  disappeared,  and  his  short  conference 
with  the  men  on  watch  was  ended,  than  the  Burgo 
master  hurried  towards  that  quarter  of  the  town 
which  lay  nearest  to  the  entrance  of  the  Jaegerthal. 
Here  he  found  collected  a  band  of  a  hundred 
burghers,  chosen  from  among  their  townsmen,  for 
resolution  and  physical  force.  They  were  all  equip 
ped,  according  to  the  fashion  of  the  times,  with  such 
weapons  of  offence  as  suited  their  several  habits  and 
experience.  We  might  also  add,  that,  as  each  good 
man,  on  going  forth  on  the  present  occasion,  had 
seen  fit  to  consult  his  bosom's  partner,  there  was 
more  than  the  usual  display  of  headpieces,  and 
breastplates,  and  bucklers. 

When  with  his  followers,  and  assured  of  their 
exactitude  and  numbers,  the  Burgomaster,  who  was 
a  man  nowise  deficient  in  courage,  ordered  the 
postern  to  be  opened,  and  issued  first  himself  into 
the  field.  The  townsmen  succeeded  in  their  allotted 
order,  observing  the  most  profound  silence.  Instead 
of  taking  the  direct  road  to  the  gorge,  Heinrich 
crossed  the  rivulet,  by  a  private  bridge,  pursuing  a 
footpath  that  led  him  up  the  ascent  of  the  most  ad 
vanced  of  the  mountains,  on  that  side  of  the  valley. 
The  reader  will  understand,  that  this  movement 
placed  the  party  on  the  hill  which  lay  directly  oppo 
site  to  that  of  the  Heidenmauer.  At  the  period  of  the 
tale,  cedars  grew  on  the  two  mountains  alike,  ana 
the  townsmen,  of  course,  had  the  advantage  of  be- 


276  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

ing  concealed  from  observation.  A  half-hour  was 
necessary  to  effect  this  lodgment,  with  sufficient 
caution  and  secrecy;  but  once  made,  the  whole 
band  seemed  to  consider  itself  beyond  the  danger 
of  discovery.  The  men  then  continued  the  march 
with  less  attention  to  order  and  silence,  and  even 
their  leaders  began  to  indulge  in  discourse.  Their 
conversation  was,  however,  guarded,  like  that  of 
those  who  felt  they  were  engaged  in  an  enterprise 
of  hazard. 

"  'Tis  said,  neighbor  Dietrich,"  commenced  the 
Burgomaster,  speaking  to  a  sturdy  smith,  who  acted 
on  this  occasion  as  lieutenant  to  the  commander-in- 
chief,  an  honor  that  was  mainly  due  to  the  power 
of  his  arm,  and  who,  emboldened  by  his  temporary 
rank,  had  advanced  nearly  to  Heinrich's  side,  "  'Tis 
said,  neighbor  Dietrich,  that  these  Benedictines  are 
like  bees,  who  never  go  forth  but  in  the  season  of 
plenty,  and  rarely  return  without  rich  contribution 
to  their  hive.  Thou  art  a  reflecting  and  solid  towns 
man  ;  one  that  is  little  moved  by  the  light  opinions 
of  the  idle,  and  a  burgher  that  knoweth  his  own 
rights,  which  is  as  much  as  to  say,  his  own  interests, 
and  one  that  well  understandeth  the  necessity  of 
preserving  all  of  our  venerable  usages  and  laws,  at 
least  in  such  matters  as  touch  the  permanency  of 
the  welfare  of  those  that  may  lay  claim  to  have  a 
wrelfare.  I  speak  not  now  of  the  varlets  who  be 
long,  as  it  were,  neither  to  heaven  nor  earth,  being 
condemned  of  both  to  the  misery  of  houseless  and 
irresponsible  knaves;  but  of  men  of  substance,  that, 
like  thee  and  thy  craft,  pay  scot  and  lot,  keep  bed 
and  board,  and  are  otherwise  to  be  marked  for  their 
usefulness  and  natural  rights ; — and  this  brings  me 
to  my  point,  which  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  to 
say,  that  God  hath  created  all  men  equal,  and  there 
fore  it  is  our  right,  no  less  than  our  duty,  to  see  that 
Deurckheim  is  not  wronged,  especially  in  that  par* 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  277 

of  her  interests  that  belong,  in  particularity,  to  her 
substantial  inhabitants.  Do  I  say  that  which  is  rea 
sonable,  or  do  I  deceive  both  myself  and  thee,  friend 
smith  ?" 

Heinrich  had  a  reputation  for  eloquence  and  logic, 
especially  among  his  own  partisans,  and  his  appeal 
was  now  made  to  one  who  was  little  likely  to  refuse 
him  any  honor.  Dietrich  was  one  of  those  anima 
philosophers  who  seem  specially  qualified  by  nature 
to  sustain  a  parliamentary  leader,  possessing  a  good 
organ,  with  but  an  indifferent  intellect  to  derange 
its  action.  His  mind  had  precisely  the  description 
of  vacuum  which  is  so  necessary  to  produce  a  good 
political  or  moral  echo,  more  particularly  when  the 
proposition  is  false ;  for  the  smallest  addition  to  his 
capacity  might  have  had  such  an  effect  on  his  re 
plies,  as  a  sounding-board  is  known  to  possess  in 
defeating  the  repetitions  of  the  voice. 

"  By  Saint  Benedict,  Master  Heinrich,"  he  an 
swered,  "for  it  is  permitted  to  invoke  the  saint 
though  we  so  little  honor  his  monks,  it  were  well  for 
Duke  Friedrich  had  he  less  wine  in  his  Heidelburg 
tuns,  and  more  of  your  wisdom  in  his  councils ! 
What  you  have  just  proclaimed,  is  no  other  than 
what  I  have  myself  thought  these  many  years, 
though  never  able  to  hammer  down  an  idea  into 
speech  so  polished  and  cutting  as  this  of  your  wor 
ship  !  Let  them  that  deny  what  I  say,  take  up  their 
weapons,  and  I  will  repose  on  my  sledge  as  on  an 
argument  not  to  be  answered.  We  must,  in  sooth, 
see  Deurckheim  righted,  and  more  is  the  need,  since 
there  is  this  equality  between  all  men,  as  hath  just 
been  so  well  said/' 

"  Nay,  this  matter  of  equality  is  one  much  spoken 
of,  but  as  little  understood.  Look  you,  good  Diet 
rich  ;  give  me  thy  ear  for  a  few  minutes,  and  thou 
shalt  get  an  insight  into  its  justice.  Here  are  we 
of  the  small  towns  born  with  all  properties  and  wants 
2  A 


278  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

of  those  in  your  large  capitals — are  we  not  men  to 
need  our  privileges — or  are  we  not  human,  that  air 
is  unnecessary  for  breath — I  think  thou  wilt  not  gain 
say  either  of  these  truths." 

"  He  that  would  do  it,  is  little  better  than  an  ass!" 

"  This  being  established,  therefore,  naught  remains 
but  to  show  the  conclusion.  We,  having  the  same 
rights  as  the  largest  towns  in  the  Empire,  should  be 
permitted  to  enjoy  them ;  else  is  language  little  bet 
ter  than  mockery,  and  a  municipal  privilege  of  no 
more  value  than  a  serf's  oath." 

"  This  is  so  clear,  I  marvel  any  should  deny  it ! 
And  what  say  they  of  the  villages,  Master  Burgo 
master  ?  Will  they,  think  you,  sustain  us  in  this  holy 
cause  ?" 

"  Nay,  I  touch  not  on  the  villages,  good  smith, 
since  they  have  neither  burgomasters  nor  burghers ; 
and  where  there  is  so  little  to  sustain  a  cause,  of 
what  matter  is  resistance.  I  speak  chiefly  of  our 
selves,  and  of  towns  having  means,  which  is  a  case 
so  clear,  that  it  were  manifest  weakness  to  con 
found  it  with  any  other.  He  that  hath  right  of  his 
side  were  a  fool  to  enter  into  league  with  any  of 
doubtful  franchises.  All  have  their  natural  and  holy 
advantages,  but  those  are  the  best  which  are  most 
clear  by  their  riches  and  force." 

"I  pray  you,  worshipful  Heinrich,  grant  me  but 
a  single  favor,  an'  you  love  me  so  much  as  a  hair  ?" 

"  Name  thy  will,  smith." 

"That  I  may  speak  of  this  among  the  towns 
men! — such  wisdom,   and  conclusion    so  evident, 
should  not  be  cast  to  the  winds !" 

"  Thou  knowest  I  do  not  discourse  for  vain  ap 
plause." 

"  By  my  father's  bones !  I  will  touch  upon  it  with 
discretion,  most  honorable  Burgomaster,  and  not  as 
one  of  vain  speech — your  honor  knows  the  difference 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  279 

between  a  mere  street  babbler  and  one  that  hath  a 
shop." 

"  Have  it  as  thou  wilt ;  but  I  take  not  the  merit  of 
originality,  for  there  are  many  good  and  substantial 
citizens,  and  some  statesmen,  who  think  much  in 
this  manner  " 

"  Well,  it  is  happy  that  God  hath  not  gifted  all 
alike,  else  might  there  have  been  great  and  unrea 
sonable  equality,  and  some  would  have  arrived  to 
honors  they  were  little  able  to  bear.  But  having  so 
clearly  explained  your  most  excellent  motives,  wor 
shipful  Heinrich,  wilt  condescend  to  lighten  the 
march  by  an  application  of  its  truth  to  the  enter 
prise  on  which  we  go  forth  1" 

"  That  may  be  done  readily,  for  no  tower  in  the 
Palatinate  is  more  obvious.  Here  is  Limburg,  and 
yon  is  Deurckheim ;  rival  communities,  as  it  were,  in 
interests  and  hopes,  and  of  necessity  but  little  dis 
posed  to  do  each  other  favor.  Nature,  which  is  a 
great  master  of  all  questions  of  right  and  wrong, 
sayeth  that  Deurckheim  shall  not  harm  Limburg,  nor 
Limburg,  Deurckheim. — Is  this  clear  ?" 

"  Himmel !  as  the  flame  of  a  furnace,  honorable 
Burgomaster." 

"  Now,  it  being  thus  settled,  that  there  shall  be  no 
interference  in  each  other's  concerns,  we  yield  to 
necessity,  and  go  forth  armed,  in  order  to  prevent 
Limburg  doing  wrong  to  a  principle  that  all  just 
men  admit  to  be  inviolable.  You  perceive  the  nicety; 
we  confess  that  what  we  do  is  weak  in  argument, 
and  the  greater  need  it  should  be  strong  in  execution. 
We  are  no  madcaps  to  unsettle  a  principle  to  gain 
our  ends,  but  then  all  must  have  heed  to  their  inter 
ests,  and  what  we  do  is  with  a  reserve  of  doctrine." 

"  This  relieves  my  soul  from  a  mountain !"  ex 
claimed  the  smith,  who  had  listened  with  a  sort  of 
earnestness  that  denotes  honesty  of  purpose;  "  naught 


280  THE  HE1DENMAUER. 

can  be  more  just,  and  woe  to  him  that  shall  gainsaj 
it,  while  back  of  mine  carries  harness !" 

In  this  manner  did  Heinrich  and  his  lieutenant 
lighten  the  way  by  subtle  discourse,  and  by  argu 
ments  that  we  feel  some  consciousness  may  sub 
ject  us  to  the  imputation  of  plagiarisms,  but  for 
which  we  can  vouch  as  genuine,  on  the  authority 
of  Christian  Kinzel,  already  so  often  named. 

The  high  and  disinterested  intellect  that  is  active 
in  regulating  the  interests  of  the  world  has  been  so 
often  alluded  to,  in  other  places  and  on  different 
occasions,  that  it  is  quite  useless  to  expatiate  on  it 
here.  We  have  already  said,  that  Heinrich  Frey 
was  a  stout  friend  of  the  conservative  principle, 
which,  reduced  to  practice,  means  little  more  than, 
that 

"  They  shall  get,  who  have  the  power. 
And  they  shall  keep,  who  can." 

Justice,  like  liberality,  has  great  reservations,  and 
perhaps  there  are  few  countries  in  the  present  ad 
vanced  condition  of  the  human  species,  that  does 
not  daily  employ  some  philosophy  of  the  same 
involved  character  as  this  of  Heinrich,  supported 
by  reasoning  as  lucid,  irresistible,  and  nervous. 

The  direction  in  which  the  band  of  Deurckheim- 
ers  proceeded,  led  them,  by  a  tortuous  way,  it  is 
true,  but  surely,  to  the  side  of  the  valley  on  which 
the  castle  of  Hartenburg  stood.  Heimich,  how 
ever,  brought  his  followers  to  a  halt  long  before 
they  had  made  the  circuit  which  would  have  been 
necessary  to  reach  the  hold  of  Count  Emich.  The 
place  he  chose  for  the  collection  and  review  of  the 
band,  was  about  midway  between  Deurckheim  and 
the  castle,  pursuing  a  line  that  conformed  to  the 
sinuosities  and  variations  of  the  foot  of  the  moun 
tain.  It  was  in  an  open  grove,  where  the  shadows 
of  the  trees  effectually  concealed  the  presence  of 
the  unusual  company.  Here  refreshments  were  taken 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  281 

Dy  a..,  for  the  good  people  of  the  town  were  much 
addicted  to  practices  of  this  consolatory  nature,  and 
the  occasion  must  have  been  doubly  urgent  that 
could  induce  them  to  overlook  the  calls  of  the  ap 
petite. 

"  Seest  thou  aught  of  our  allies,  honest  smith  ?" 
demanded  Heinrich  of  his  lieutenant,  who  had  been 
sent  a  short  distance  along  the  brow  of  the  hill  to 
reconnoitre.  "  It  were  unseemly  in  men  so  trained 
as  our  friends,  to  be  lacking  at  need." 

"  Doubt  them  not,  Master  Heinrich.  I  know  the 
knaves  well ;  they  merely  tarry  to  lighten  their  packs 
by  the  way,  in  consumptions  like  this  of  our  own. 
Dost  see  the  manner  in  which  the  Benedictines  affect 
tranquillity,  worshipful  Burgomaster?" 

"  'Tis  their  usual  ghostly  hypocrisy,  brave  Diet 
rich  ;  but  we  shall  uncloak  them  !  Good  will  come 
of  our  enterprise,  for,  of  a  truth,  by  this  spirit  on 
our  part,  which  shall  for  ever  demonstrate  the  neces 
sity  of  not  meddling  in  the  concerns  of  a  neighbor, 
we  settle  all  uncertainties  between  us.  By  the 
Kings  of  Koeln  !  is  it  to  be  tolerated,  that  a  gowns 
man  shall  hoodwink  a  townsman  to  the  day  of  judg 
ment  ? — Is  there  not  a  light  in  the  Abbey-chapel  ?" 

"  The  reverend  fathers  pray  against  their  enemies. 
Dost  think,  worshipful  Burgomaster,  that  the  tale 
concerning  the  manner  in  which  those  heavy  stones 
were  carried  upon  Limburg  hill,  has  received  small 
additions  by  oft  telling  ?" 

"  It  may  be  thus,  Dietrich ;  for  naught,  unless  it 
may  be  damp  snow,  gaineth  more  by  repeated  roll 
ing,  than  your  story." 

"And  gold,"  rejoined  the  smith,  chuckling  in  a 
manner  not  to  displease  his  superior,  since  it  palpa 
bly  intimated  the  idea  he  entertained  of  the  Burgo 
master's  success  in  accumulating  money,  an  idea 
that  is  always  pleasant  to  those  who  deem  pros 
perity  of  this  nature  to  be  the  principal  end  of  life. 
2  A2 


282  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

— "  Gold  well  rolled  increases  marvellously  !  I  am 
of  your  mind,  Master  Heinrich ;  for  to  speak  truth, 
I  much  question  whether  the  Evil  Spirit  would  have 
troubled  himself  with  so  light  an  affair  as  carrying 
the  smaller  materials  a  foot. — As  to  the  heavy  col 
umns,  and  the  hewn  key-stones,  with  other  loads  of 
weight,  it  was  not  so  much  beneath  his  character, 
and  may  be  considered  as  probable.  I  have  never 
contradicted  that  part  of  the  legend,  for  it  hath  like 
lihood  to  back  it,  but — ha !  here  cometh  the  succor." 

The  approach  of  a  band  of  men,  who  came  from 
the  direction  of  Hartenburg,  always  keeping  along 
the  margin  of  the  hills,  and  within  the  shadows, 
absorbed  all  attention.  This  second  party  was 
treble  the  force  of  the  townsmen,  like  them  it  was 
armed,  and,  like  them,  it  showed  every  sign  of 
military  preparation.  When  it  had  halted,  which 
it  did  at  a  little  distance  from  the  band  of  Heinrich, 
as  if  it  were  not  deemed  advisable  to  blend  the  two 
bodies  in  one,  a  warrior  advanced  to  the  spot  where 
the  Burgomaster  had  taken  post.  The  new  comer 
was  well  but  lightly  armed,  wearing  head-piece  and 
harness,  and  carrying  his  sword  at  rest. 

"  Who  leadeth  the  Deurckheimers  ?"  he  demanded, 
when  near  enough  to  trust  his  voice. 

"  Their  poor  Burgomaster,  in  person ;  would  there 
had  been  a  better  for  the  duty !" 

"  Welcome,  worshipful  sir,"  said  the  other,  bow 
ing  with  more  than  usual  respect.  "In  my  turn,  I 
come  at  the  head  of  Count  Emich's  followers." 

"  How  art  thou  styled,  brave  captain  ?"  • 

"  'Tis  a  name  but  little  worthy  to  be  classed  with 
yours,  Herr  Frey.  But  such  as  it  is,  I  disown  it 
not.  I  am  Berchthold  Hintermayer." 

"  Umph  ! — A  young  leader  for  so  grave  an  enter 
prise  !— I  had  hoped  for  the  honor  of  thy  lord's  com 
pany." 

"  I  am  commanded  to  explain  this  matter  to  your 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  283 

worship."  Berchthold  then  walked  aside  with  the 
Burgomaster,  while  Dietrich  proceeded  to  take  a 
nearer  view  of  the  allied  force. 

It  is  well  known  to  most  of  our  readers,  that 
every  baron  of  note,  at  the  time  of  which  we  write, 
entertained  more  or  fewer  dependants,  who,  succeed 
ing  to  the  regularly  banded  vassals  of  the  earlier  ages, 
held  a  sort  of  middle  station  between  the  servitor 
and  the  soldier.  There  stands  a  noble  ruin,  called 
Pierrefont,  within  a  day's  ride  of  Paris,  and  on  the 
very  verge  of  a  royal  forest, — a  forest  that  in  some 
of  its  features  approaches  nearer  to  an  American 
wood  than  any  we  have  yet  met  in  the  other  hemi 
sphere, — which  castle  of  Pierrefont  is  known  to  have 
been  the  hold  of  one  of  these  warlike  nobles,  who 
did  many  and  manifest  wrongs  to  the  lieges  of  the 
king,  even  in  an  age  considerably  later  than  this  of 
our  tale.  In  short,  European  society,  just  then,  was 
in  the  state  of  transition,  beginning  to  reject  the 
trammels  of  feudalism,  and  struggling  to  wear  its 
bonds,  at  least  in  a  new  and  less  troublesome  form. 
But  the  importance  and  political  authority  of  the 
Counts  of  Leiningen  fully  entitled  them  to  preserve 
a  train  that  barons  of  lesser  note  were  beginning  to 
abandon,  and  consequently  all  of  their  castles  had 
many  of  these  loose  follow'ers,  who  have  since  been 
entirely  superseded  by  the  regularly  embodied  and 
trained  troops  of  our  own  time. 

The  smith  found  much  to  approve,  and  something 
to  censure,  in  the  party  that  Berchthold  had  led  to 
their  support.  So  far  as  recklessness  of  character 
and  object,  audacity  in  acts,  and  indifference  to  moral 
checks,  were  concerned,  a  better  troop  could  not 
have  been  desired,  for  more  than  half  of  them  were 
men  who  lived  by  the  excesses  of  the  community, 
occupying  exactly  that  position  in  the  social  scale 
that  fungi  do  in  the  vegetable,  or  that  sores  and 
blotches  fill  in  the  physical  economy  of  the  species. 


284  THE  HEIDEXMAUER. 

But  in  respect  to  thewes  and  sinews,  a  primary  con 
sideration  with  the  smith  in  estimating  the  value  of 
every  man  he  saw,  they  were  much  interior,  as  a 
body,  to  the  townsmen,  in  whom  orderly  living, 
gainful  and  regular  industry,  had  permitted  the  ani 
mal  to  become  developed.  There  was,  however,  a 
band  of  peasants,  drawn  from  among  the  mountains, 
or  inhabitants  of  the  hamlet  beneath  the  castle  walls, 
who,  though  less  menacing  in  air,  and  bold  of  speech, 
were  youths  that  Dietrich  thought  only  required  the 
Deurckheim  training  to  become  heroes. 

When  Heinrich  and  Berchthold  rejoined  their  re 
spective  followers,  after  the  private  discourse,  all 
discontent  was  banished  from  the  former's  brow, 
and  both  immediately  occupied  themselves  in  making 
the  dispositions  necessary  to  the  success  of  the  com 
mon  enterprise.  The  wx>od,  in  which  they  had  halted, 
lay  directly  opposite  to  the  inner  extremity  of  the 
Abbey  hill,  from  which  it  was  separated  by  a  broad 
and  perfectly  even  meadow.  The  distance,  though 
not  great,  was  sufficient  to  render  it  probable,  that 
the  approach  of  the  invaders  would  be  seen  by  some 
of  the  sentinels,  who,  there  was  little  doubt,  the  men- 
at-arms,  lent  by  the  Elector  to  the  monks,  maintain 
ed,  were  it  only  for  their  own  security.  Limburg 
was  not  a  fortress,  its  impunity  being  due  altogether 
to  the  moral  power  that  the  Church,  to  which  it 
belonged,  still  wielded,  though  it  were  so  much 
weakened  in  that  part  of  Germany ;  but  its  walls 
were  high  and  solid,  its  towers  numerous,  its  edifices 
massive,  and  all  was  so  disposed  that  a  body  within, 
resolutely  bent  on  resistance,  might  well  have  set  at 
defiance  a  force  like  that  w^hich  now  came  against  it. 

Of  all  these  truths  Heinrich  was  sensible,  for  he 
had  shown  courage  and  gained  experience  in  the 
defence  of  places,  during  a  life  that  was  now  past 
its  meridian,  and  which  had  been  necessarily  spent 
amid  the  tumults  and  contentions  of  that  troubled 


THE  HETDEXMAUER,  285 

tge.  He  looked  about  him,  therefore,  with  greater 
seriousness,  in  order  to  ascertain  on  whom  he  might 
rely,  and  the  fine  and  collected  deportment  of  Bercht- 
hold  Hintermayer  gave  him  that  sort  of  satisfaction 
which  brave  men  feel  by  communion  with  kindred 
spirits  in  the  moment  of  "danger.  When  e^sry  ne 
cessary  disposition  was  made,  -he  party  advanced, 
moving  deliberately  to  preserve  their  order,  and 
conscious  that  breath  would  be  necessary  in  mount 
ing  the  steep  acclivity. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  time  in  which  the  ingenuity 
of  man  is  more  active,  than  in  those  moments  when 
he  has  a  sensitive  consciousness  of  being  wrong, 
and  consequently  a  feverish  desire  to  vindicate  his 
works  or  acts  to  himself,  as  well  as  to  others.  A 
deep  conviction  of  truth,  and  the  certainty  of  being 
right,  fortifies  the  mind  with  a  high  moral  dignity, 
that  even  disinclines  it  to  the  humility  of  vindication. 
Thus  he  who  rushes  from  a  dispute  in  which  his 
own  convictions  cause  him  to  distrust  his  own  argu 
ments,  into  rash  and  general  asseverations,  betrays 
the  goadings  of  conscience  rather  than  spirit,  and 
weakens  the  very  cause  that  it  may  be  his  wish  to 
establish.  An  arrogant  assumption  of  knowledge, 
especially  in  matters  that  our  previous  habits  and 
education  rather  disqualify  than  teach  us  to  compre 
hend,  can  only  lead  to  contradiction  and  detection ; 
and  although  circumstances  may  lend  a  momentary 
and  fallacious  support  to  error,  the  triumph  of  truth 
is  as  certain  as  its  punishments  are  severe.  Happily, 
this  is  an  age,  in  which  no  sophistry  can  long  escape 
unscathed,  nor  any  injury  to  natural  justice  go  long 
unrequited.  No  matter  where  the  wrong  to  truth 
has  been  committed — on  the  throne,  or  in  the  cabinet, 
in  the  senate,  or  by  means  of  the  press — society  is 
certain  to  avenge  itself  for  the  deceptions  of  which 
it  has  been  the  dupe,  and  its  final  judgments  are  re 
corded  on  that  opinion  which  lasts  long  after  the 


286  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

•specious  triumphs  of  the  plausible  are  forgotten.  It 
•were  well  that  they  who  abuse  their  situations,  by  a 
reckless  disregard  of  consequences,  in  order  to  ob 
tain  a  momentary  object,  oftener  remembered  this 
fact,  for  they  would  spare  themselves  the  mortifica 
tion,  and  in  some  cases  the  infamy,  that  is  so  sure 
to  rest  on  him  who  disregards  right  to  attain  an 
end. 

Heinrich  Frey  greatly  distrusted  the  lawfulness 
of  the  enterprise  in  which  he  was  engaged ;  for, 
unlike  his  companions,  he  had  the  responsibility  of 
advising,  as  well  as  that  of  execution,  on  his  head. 
He  had,  therefore,  a  restless  wish  to  find  reasons  of 
justification  for  what  he  did ;  and  as  he  marched 
slowly  across  the  meadows,  with  Berchthold  and 
the  smith  at  his  side,  his  tongue  gave  utterance  to 
his  thoughts. 

"  There  cannot  be  any  manner  of  doubt  of  the 
necessity  and  justice  of  what  we  do  to  Limburg, 
Master  Hintermayer,"  he  said;  for  men  usually 
affirm  in  all  dubious  cases  with  a  confidence  pre 
cisely  in  an  inverse  ratio  to  the  distrust  they  feel  of 
the  rectitude  of  their  cause : — "  else  why  are  wre 
iiere  ?  Is  Limburg  for  ever  to  trouble  the  valley  and 
he  plain,  with  its  accursed  exactions  and  avarice, 
or  are  we  slaves  for  shaven  monks  to  trample  en?" 

"  There  are  sufficient  reasons,  of  a  truth,  for  wnat 
we  do,  Herr  Burgomaster,"  answered  Berchthold, 
whose  mind  had  taken  a  strong  bias  to  the  new 
change  in  religious  opinions,  that  were  then  fast 
gaining  ground.  "  When  we  have  so  good  motives, 
let  us  look  no  farther." 

"Nay,  young  man,  I  am  certain  that  the  honest 
smith  here  will  say,  no  nail  that  he  drives  into  •» 
hoof  can  be  too  well  clenched." 

"  That  fact  is  out  of  all  question,  Master  Bercht 
hold,"  answered  Dietrich,  "  and  therefore  must  his 
worship  be  right  in  the  whole  argument." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  287 

"  Let  it  be  so ;  I  shall  never  gainsay  the  neces 
sity  of  breaking  up  a  nest  of  drones." 

"  I  call  them  not  drones,  young  Berchthold,  nor 
do  I  come  to  break  them  up;  but  simply  to  show 
the  world,  that  he  who  would  deal  with  the  affairs 
of  Deurckheim,  hath  need  of  a  lesson  to  teach  him 
not  to  enter  his  neighbor's  grounds." 

"This  is  wholesome,  and  will  bring  great  credit 
on  our  town !"  responded  the  smith.  "  The  more 
the  pity  that  we  do  not  press  the  same  matter  home 
upon  the  Elector  too,  who  hath  of  late  raised  new 
pretensions  to  our  earnings." 

"  With  the  Elector  the  affair  may  not  be  discussed, 
for  his  interference  is  of  too  strong  a  quality  to  call 
upon  our  manhood  in  maintaining  the  right  of  non 
interference.  These  subtle  questions  of  law  are  not 
to  be  learned  over  a  furnace,  but  need  nice  capaci 
ties  to  render  them  clear ;  but  clear  they  are, — to 
all  who  have  the  power  to  understand  them.  It  is 
more  than  probable,  that  to  thee,  Dietrich,  they  are 
not  so  manifest;  but  wert  thou  one  of  the  town 
council,  thou  shouldst  look  into  the  question  with 
different  eyes." 

"  That  I  doubt  not,  honorable  Heinrich,  that  I 
doubt  not.  Could  but  such  an  honor  light  on  one  of 
my  name  and  breeding — Himmel!  the  worshipful 
council  should  find  a  man  ready  to  believe  any 
nicety  of  this  sort,  or  indeed  of  any  other  sort !" 

"  Ha  !  There  is  a  light  at  yonder  loop !"  exclaim 
ed  Berchthold.  «  This  bodes  well." 

"  Hast  a  friend  in  the  Abbey]" 

"  Go  to,  Herr  Burgomaster — This  touches  on 
excommunication ; — but  I  much  like  yon  light  at  the 
loop !" 

"  Let  there  be  silence,"  whispered  Heinrich  to 
those  in  his  rear,  who  passed  the  order  to  their  fel 
lows.  "  We  draw  near." 

The  party  was  now  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.   Not  a 


288  THE  HEIDENMAC/Sft 

sign  of  their  approach  being  known  had  yet  met 
them;  unless  a  single  taper  placed  at  a  dungeon- 
loop  could  thus  be  interpreted.  On  the  contrary, 
the  stillness  already  described  in  the  approach  of 
Ulrike,  reigned  over  the  whole  of  the  vast  pile. 
But,  neither  Heinrich  nor  his  companion  liked  this 
fearful  quiet,  for  it  boded  a  defence  the  more  serious 
when  it  did  come.  They  would  have  greatly  pre 
ferred  an  open  resistance,  and  nothing  would  have 
more  relieved  the  minds  of  the  two  leaders,  than  to 
have  been  able  to  command  a  rush,  under  a  hot  dis 
charge  from  the  arquebusiers  of  Duke  Friedrich 
But  this  relief  was  refused  them,  and  the  whole 
bana  reached  a  point  of  the  hill,  under  a  flanking 
tower,  where  it  became  necessary  to  abandon  all 
idea  of  cover,  and  to  make  a  swift  movement,  to 
gain  the  road.  It  was  the  rush  of  this  evolution 
which  first  disturbed  the  monks  in  the  chapel.  The 
second  interruption  proceeded  from  the  ruder  sounds 
of  the  assault,  that  immediately  after  was  made 
upon  the  outer  gate,  itself. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"  I'll  never 

Be  such  a  ghostling  to  obey  instinct,  but  stand 
As  if  a  man  were  author  of  himself, 
And  knew  no  other  line." 

Coriolanus. 

THE  assailants,  as  has  been  seen,  were  led  by  the 
Burgomaster,  and  his  two  lieutenants,  Berchthold  and 
the  smith.  Close  at  the  heels  of  the  latter  followed 
three  of  his  own  journeymen,  each,  like  his  master, 
armed  with  a  massive  sledge.  No  sooner  did  the 
party  reach  the  gate,  than  these  artisans  commenced 
the  duty  of  pioneers,  with  great  readiness  and  skill. 
At  the  third  blow,  from  Dietrich's  brawny  arm,  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  289 

gate  flew  open,  and  those  in  front  rushed  into  tho 
court. 

"  Who  art  thou?"  cried  Berchthold,  seizing  a  man 
who  knelt  with  a  knee  on  another's  breast,  immedi 
ately  across  his  passage ;  "  Speak,  for  this  is  not  a 
moment  of  trifling  !" 

"  Master  Forester,  be  less  hot,  and  remember 
thy  friends.  Dost  not  see  it  is  Gottlob,  that  holdeth 
the  convent  porter,  lest  the  knave  should  use  the 
additional  bars.  There  are  strangers  within,  and. 
to  consult  his  ease,  the  faithless  varlet  hath  not  done 
his  fastenings  properly,  else  mightest  thou  have  pound 
ed  till  Duke  Friedrich's  men  were  upon  thee." 

"  Bravely  done,  foster  brother  !  Thy  signal  was 
seen  and  counted  on ;  but,  since  thou  knowest  the 
ways  so  well,  lead  on,  at  once,  against  the  men-at- 
arms." 

"  Himmel !  The  rogues  have  bristly  beards,  well 
grizzled  with  war,  and  may  not  like  to  have  their 
sleep  thus  suddenly  broken  ;  but  service  must  be 
done — Choose  the  most  godly  of  thy  followers,  wor 
shipful  Burgomaster,  to  go  against  the  monks,  who 
are  fortified  in  their  choir,  and  well  armed  with 
prayer ;  while  I  will  lead  the  more  carnal  to  another 
sort  of  work  against  the  Elector's  people." 

While  this  short  dialogue  had  place,  the  whole  of 
the  assailants  poured  through  the  gate,  their  officers 
endeavoring  to  maintain  something  like  order,  among 
the  ill-trained  band.  All  felt  the  imperious  necessity 
of  first  disposing  of  the  troops ;  for  as  respects  the 
monks  themselves,  there  was  certainly  no  cause  of 
immediate  apprehension.  A  few  were  left,  therefore, 
to  guard  the  gate,  while  Heinrich,  guided  by  the 
cow-herd,  led  his  followers  toward  the  buildings, 
where  the  men-at-arms  were  known  to  lodge. 

If  we  were  to  say  that  the  party  advanced  to  this 
attack  without  concern,  we  should  overrate  their 
valor,  and  do  the  reputation  of  the  Elector's  men 
2B 


290  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

injustice.  There  was  sacrilege  in  the  invasion  of 
the  convent,  according  to  the  predominant  opinions 
of  the  age  ;  for  though  Protestantism  had  made  great 
progress,  even  reformers  had  grievous  doubts  in 
severing  the  bonds  of  habit  and  long-established 
prejudices.  To  this  lurking  sentiment  was  added 
the  unaccountable  silence  that  still  reigned  among 
the  men-at-arms,  who,  as  Gottlob  had  said,  were 
known  to  be  excellent  soldiers  at  need.  They  lay  in 
the  rear  of  the  Abbot's  dwelling,  and  were  sufficient 
ly  intrenched  behind  walls,  and  among  the  gardens, 
to  make  a  fierce  resistance. 

But  all  these  considerations  rather  flashed  upon 
the  minds  of  the  leaders,  than  they  were  maturely 
weighed.  In  the  moment  of  assault  there  is  little 
leisure  for  thought,  especially  when  the  affair  gets 
to  be  as  far  advanced  as  this  we  are  now  describing: 
The  men  rushed  towards  the  point  of  attack,  accord 
ingly,  beset  by  misgivings  rather  than  entertaining 
any  very  clear  ideas  of  the  dangers  they  ran. 

Gottlob  had  evidently  made  the  best  of  the  time 
he  had  been  at  liberty  in  the  Abbey,  to  render  him 
self  master  of  the  intricate  windings  of  the  differ 
ent  passages.  He  was  soon  at  the  door  of  the  Ab 
bots  abode,  which  was  dashed  into  splinters  by  a 
single  blow  of  Dietrich's  sledge,  when  there  poured 
a  stream  of  reckless,  and  we  may  add  lawless, 
soldiery  through  the  empty  apartments.  In  another 
moment,  the  whole  of  the  assailants  were  in  the 
grounds,  in  the  rear  of  this  portion  of  the  dwellings. 

As  there  is  nothing  that  more  powerfully  rebukes 
violence  than  a  calm  firmness,  so  is  there  nothing  so 
appalling  to  or  so  likely  to  repulse  an  assault,  as  a 
coolness  that  seems  to  set  the  onset  at  defiance. 
In  such  moments,  the  imagination  is  apt  to  become 
more  formidable  than  the  missiles  of  an  enemy; 
conjuring  dangers  in  the  place  of  those,  which,  in 
the  ordinary  course  of  warfare,  might  be  lighty 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  291 

estimated  were  they  seen.  Every  one  knows,  that 
the  moment  which  precedes  the  shock  of  battle,  is 
by  far  the  most  trying  to  the  constancy  of  man, 
and  a  reservation  of  the  means  of  resistance  is  pro 
longing  that  moment,  and  of  course  increasing  its 
influence. 

Every  man  among  the  hostile  band,  even  to  the 
leaders,  felt  the  influence  of  this  mysterious  quiet 
among  the  troops  of  the  Elector.  So  imposing  in 
fact  did  it  become,  that  they  halted  in  a  group,  a 
position  of  all  others  most  likely  to  expose  them  to 
defeat, — and  there  was  a  low  rumor  of  mines  and 
ambuscades. 

Berchthold  perceived  that  the  moment  was  criti 
cal,  and  that  there  was  imminent  danger  of  defeat. 

"  Follow !"  he  cried,  waving  his  sword,  and  spring 
ing  towards  the  silent  buildings  in  which  it  was  known 
the  men-at-arms  were  quartered.  He  was  valiantly 
seconded  by  the  Burgomaster  and  the  smith,  when 
the  whole  party  resumed  its  courage,  and  advanced 
tumultuously  against  the  doors  and  windows.  The 
sounds  of  the  sledges,  and  the  yielding  of  bars  and 
bolts,  came  next ;  after  which  the  rush  penetrated  to 
the  interior.  The  cries  of  the  assailants  rang  among 
empty  vaults.  There  was  the  straw,  the  remnants 
of  food,  the  odor  of  past  debauches,  and  all  the 
usual  disgusting  signs  of  ill-regulated  barracks ;  for 
in  that  day,  neatness  and  method  did  not  descend 
far  below  the  condition  of  the  affluent ;  but  no  cry 
answered  cry,  no  sword  or  arquebuse  was  raised 
to  meet  the  blow  of  the  invader.  Stupor  was  the 
first  feeling,  on  gaining  the  knowledge  of  this  im 
portant  fact.  Then  Heinrich  and  Berchthold  both 
issued  orders  to  bring  the  captured  porter,  who  was 
in  the  centre  of  the  assailants,  before  them. 

"  Explain  this,"  said  the  Burgomaster,  authorita 
tively;  "what  hath  become  of  Duke  Friedrich's 
followers?" 


292  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  They  departed  at  the  turn  of  the  night,  wor 
shipful  Herr,  leaving  Limburg  to  the  care  of  its 
patron  saint." 

"  Gone  !  whither,  and  in  what  manner  ? — If  thou 
deceivest  me,  knave,  thy  saint  Benedict  himself 
shall  not  save  thee  from  a  flaying !" 

"  I  pray  you  be  not  angered,  great  magistrate, 
for  I  say  nothing  but  truth.  There  came  an  order 
from  the  Elector,  as  the  sun  set,  recalling  his  mean 
est  warrior :  for,  it  is  said,  he  is  sore  pressed,  and 
nath  great  need  of  succor." 

The  silence  which  followed  this  explanation,  was 
succeeded  by  a  shout,  and  individuals  began  to 
steal  eagerly  away  from  the  main  body,  bent  on 
their  own  designs  of  pillage. 

"  What  road  took  the  Duke's  men  ?' 

"  Worshipful  Heinrich,  they  went  down  by  the 
horse-path,  in  great  secrecy  and  order,  and  passea 
up  the  opposite  mountain,  in  order  to  escape  trou 
bling  the  townsmen  to  open  the  gates  at  that  late 
hour.  It  was  their  intention  to  cross  the  cedars  of 
the  Heidenmauer,  and,  descending  on  the  other 
side  of  the  camp,  to  gain  the  plain  in  the  rear  of 
Deurckheim." 

There  no  longer  remained  a  doubt  that  the  con 
quest  was  achieved,  and  the  entire  party  broke  off 
in  bands ;  some  to  execute  their  private  orders,  and 
others,  like  those  who  had  already  proved  delin 
quent,  to  look  after  their  own  particular  interests. 

Until  this  moment  not  a  solitary  straggler  had 
gone  near  the  chapel.  As  it  was  not  the  wish  of 
those  who  had  planned  the  assault,  to  do  personal 
injury  to  any  of  the  fraternity,  the  orders  had  been 
so  worded,  as  to  leave  this  portion  of  the  Abbey  for 
a  time  unvisited,  in  the  expectation  that  the  monks 
would  profit  by  the  omission,  to  escape  by  some  of 
the  many  private  posterns  that  communicated  with 
the  cloisters.  But,  as  there  no  longer  was  an  armed 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  293 

enemy  to  subdue,  it  now  became  necessary  to  think  of 
the  fraternity.  The  process  of  sacking  their  dormi 
tories  was  already  far  advanced,  and  the  bursts  of 
exultation,  that  began  to  issue  from  the  buildings., 
announced  that  the  rich  and  commodious  dwelling 
of  the  Abbot  himself  was  undergoing  a  similar 
summary  process. 

"  Himmel !"  muttered  Gottlob,  who  from  the  mo 
ment  of  his  liberation  had  not  quitted  the  side  of  his 
foster  brother,  "our  castle  rogues  are  taking  deep 
looks  into  the  books  of  the  most  reverend  Bonifa- 
cius,  Master  Berchthold !  It  were  good  to  tell  them 
which  are  Latin,  at  least,  lest  they  burthen  their 
shoulders  with  learning  they  can  never  use." 

"Let  the  knaves  plunder,"  replied  Heinrich,  gruffly; 
"as  much  evil  as  good  hath  come  from  that  store  of 
letters,  and  it  will  be  all  the  better  for  Deurckheim 
were  the  damnable  ammunition  of  the  Benedictines 
a  little  less  plenty.  There  are  those  on  the  plains 
who  doubt  that  necromancy  is  bound  up  in  some 
of  the  volumes  that  bear  a  saint's  name  on  their 
backs." 

Perhaps  Berchthold  might  have  remonstrated, 
had  not  his  instinct  told  him,  that  remonstrance  on 
such  a  subject,  in  that  moment  of  riot  and  confusion, 
would  have  been  worse  than  useless.  The  conse 
quence  was,  that  valuable  works  and  numerous 
manuscripts,  which  had  been  collected  during  cen 
turies  of  learned  ease,  were  abandoned  to  the  humor 
of  men  incapable  of  estimating  their  value,  or  even 
of  understanding  their  objects. 

"  Let  us  to  the  monks,"  said  Heinrich,  sheathing 
his  heavy  blade,  for  the  first  time  since  they  had 
quitted  the  wood.  "  Friend  smith,  thou  wilt  look  to 
the  duties  here,  and  see  that  what  is  done  is  done 
thoroughly.  Remember  that  thy  metal  is  well  heat 
ed,  and  on  the  anvil,  waiting  thy  pleasure ;  it  must 
be  beaten  flat,  lest  at  another  day  it  be  remoulded 
2  B  2 


294  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

into  a  weapon  to  do  us  harm.  Go  to,  Dietrich;  thoti 
knowest  what  we  of  the  town  would  have,  and  what 
we  expect  of  thy  skill." 

Taking  Berchthold  by  the  arm,  the  Burgomaster 
led  the  way  towards  that  far-famed  pile,  the  Abbey- 
church.  They  were  followed  by  a  body  of  some 
twenty  chosen  artisans,  who,  throughout  the  whole 
of  that  eventful  night,  kept  close  to  the  two  leaders, 
like  men  who  had  been  selected  for  this  particular 
duty." 

The  same  ominous  silence  reigned  around  the 
chapel  as  had  rendered  the  approach  to  the  quarters 
of  the  men-at-arms  imposing.  But  here  the  invaders 
went  against  a  different  enemy.  With  most  then 
living,  the  mysterious  power  of  the  Church  still 
possessed  a  deep  and  fearful  interest.  Dissenters 
had  spoken  boldly,  and  the  current  of  public  opinion 
had  begun  to  set  strongly  against  the  Romish  Church, 
in  all  that  region,  it  is  true ;  but  it  is  not  easy  to 
eradicate  by  the  mere  efforts  of  reason,  the  deef 
roots  that  are  thrown  out  by  habit  and  sentiment 
At  this  very  hour,  we  see  nearly  the  entire  civilized 
world  committing  gross  and  evident  wrongs,  and 
justifying  its  acts,  if  we  look  closely  into  its  philoso 
phy,  on  a  plea  little  better  than  that  of  a  sickly  taste 
formed  by  practices  which  in  themselves  cannot  be 
plausibly  vindicated.  The  very  vicious  effects  of 
every  system  are  quoted  as  arguments  in  favor  of 
its  continuance;  for  change  is  thought  to  be,  and 
sometimes  is,  a  greater  evil  than  the  existing  wrong; 
and  men,  in  millions,  are  doomed  to  continue  de 
graded,  ignorant,  and  brutal,  simply  because  vicious 
opinions  refuse  all  sympathy  with  those  whose  hope 
less  lot  it  has  been  to  have  fallen,  by  the  adventitious 
chances  of  life,  beneath  the  ban  of  society.  In  this 
manner  does  error  beget  error,  until  even  philosophy 
and  justice  are  satisfied  with  making  abortive  at 
tempts  to  palliate  a  disease  that  a  bolder  and  better 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  295 

practice  might  radically  cure.  It  will  not  occasion 
surprise,  therefore,  when  we  say,  that  both  Hein- 
rich  and  Berchthold  had  heavy  misgivings  concern 
ing  the  merit  of  their  enterprise,  as  they  drew  near 
the  church.  Perhaps  no  man  ever  much  preceded 
his  age,  without  at  moments  distrusting  his  own 
principles;  and  it  is  certain,  that  Luther  himself 
was  often  obliged  to  wrestle  with  harassing  doubts. 
Berchthold  was  less  troubled,  however,  than  his 
companion,  for  he  acted  under  the  orders  of  a 
superior,  and  was  both  younger  and  better  taught 
than  the  Burgomaster.  The  first  of  these  facts  was 
sufficient  of  itself,  under  his  habits,  to  remove  a 
load  of  responsibility  from  his  shoulders,  while  the 
'alter  not  only  weakened  the  influence  of  previous 
opinions,  but  caused  those  which  he  had  adopted  to 
be  well  fortified.  In  short,  there  existed  between 
Heinrich  and  Berchthold  that  sort  of  difference 
which  all  must  have  remarked  in  the  advancing  age 
in  which  we  live,  between  him  who  has  inherited 
his  ideas  from  generations  that  have  passed,  and 
him  who  obtains  them  from  his  contemporaries. 
The  young  Forester  had  grown  into  manhood  since 
the  voice  of  the  Reformer  was  first  heard  in  Germany, 
and  as  it  happened  to  be  his  lot  to  dwell  among  those 
who  listened  to  the  new  opinions,  he  had  imbibed 
most  of  their  motives  of  dissent,  without  ever  hav 
ing  been  much  subject  to  the  counteracting  influence 
of  an  opposite  persuasion.  It  is  in  this  gradual  man 
ner,  that  nearly  all  salutary  moral  changes  are 
effected,  since  they  who  first  entertain  them,  are 
rarely  able  to  do  more,  in  their  generation,  than  to 
check  the  progress  of  habit;  while  the  duty  of 
causing  the  current  to  flow  backward,  and  to  take 
a  new  direction,  devolves  on  their  successors. 

In  believing  that  Wilhelm  of  Venloo  would  be 
foremost  in  deserting  his  post,  in  this  moment  of 
outrage  and  tumult,  the  authors  of  the  assault  did 


296  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

him  injustice.  Though  little  likely  to  incur  the  haz 
ards,  or  to  covet  the  honors  of  martyrdom,  the 
masculine  mind  of  the  Abbot  elevated  him  altogethei 
above  the  influence  of  any  very  abject  passion;  and 
if  he  had  not  self-command  to  curtail  the  appetites, 
he  had  a  dignity  of  intellect  which  rarely  deserts 
the  mentally-gifted  in  situations  of  difficulty.  When 
Heinrich  and  Berchthold,  therefore,  entered  the 
church,  they  found  the  entire  community  in  the  choir 
remaining,  like  Roman  senators,  to  receive  the  blow 
in  their  collective  and  official  character.  There 
might  have  been  artifice,  as  well  as  magnanimity, 
in  the  resolution  which  had  decided  Bonifacius  to 
adopt  this  course ;  for,  coming  as  they  did  from  the 
scene  of  brutal  violence  without,  those  who  entered 
the  church  were  much  impressed  by  the  quiet  so- 
.  lemnity  which  met  them. 

The  candles  still  burned  before  the  altar,  the  lamps 
threw  their  flickering  light  on  the  quaint  architecture 
and  the  gorgeous  ornaments  of  the  chapel,  while 
every  pale  face  and  shaven  head  beneath,  looked 
like  some  consecrated  watchman,  placed  near  the 
shrine  to  protect  it  from  pollution.  Each  monk  was 
in  his  stall,  with  the  exception  of  the  Prior  and  Fa 
ther  Johan,  who  had  stationed  themselves  on  the 
steps  of -the  altar;  the  first  as  the  officiating  priest 
of  the  late  mass,  and  the  latter  under  an  impulse  of 
his  governing  and  natural  exaggeration,  which 
moved  him  to  throw  his  person  as  a  shield  before  the 
vessel  that  contained  the  host.  The  Abbot  was  on 
his  throne,  motionless,  indisposed  to  yield,  and 
haughty,  though  with  features  that  betrayed  great 
and  condensed  passion. 

The  Burgomaster  and  BerehthoM  advanced  into 
the  choir  alone,  for  their  followers  remained  in  the 
body  of  the  church,  in  obedience  to  a  sign  from  the 
former.  Both  were  uncovered,  and  while  they 
walked  slowly  up  the  choir,  scarce  a  head  moved. 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  297 

Eveiy  eye  seemed  riveted,  by  a  common  spell,  on 
the  crucifix  of  precious  stones  and  ivory  that  stood 
upon  the  altar.  The  blood  of  Heinrich  creeped  un 
der  the  influence  of  this  solemn  calm,  and  by  the 
time  he  had  reached  the  steps,  where  he  stood  con 
fronted  equally  to  the  Abbot  and  the  Prior,  for  the 
former  of  whom  he  had  quite  as  much  fear  as  hatred, 
and  for  the  latter  an  unfeigned  love  and  reverence, 
the  resolution  of  the  honest  Burgomaster  was  sen 
sibly  weakened. 

"  Who  art  thou  ?"  demanded  Bonifacius,  admira 
bly  timing  his  question,  by  the  indecision  and  the 
quailing  eye  of  him  he  addressed. 

"  By  Saint  Benedict!  my  face  is  no  such  stranger 
in  Limburg  that  you  put  this  question,  most  holy 
Abbot,"  answered  Heinrich,  making  an  effort  to 
imitate  the  other's  composure,  that  was  very  sensible 
to  himself,  but  better  concealed  from  others;  "though 
not  shaven  and  blessed,  like  a  monk,  I  am  one  well 
known  to  most  that  dwell  in  or  near  Deurckheim !" 

"I  had  better  said,  'What  art  thou?'  Thy  name 
and  office  are  known  to  me,  Heinrich  Frey;  but  in 
what  character  dost  thou  now  presume  to  enter 
Limburg  church,  and  to  show  this  want  of  reverence 
to  our  altars  1" 

"  To  speak  thee  fairly,  reverend  Bonifacius,  'tis  in 
the  character  of  the  head-man  of  Deurckheim,  a 
much-injured  and  long-abused  town,  that  is  tired  of 
monkish  exactions  and  monkish  pride,  and  which 
hath  at  length  assumed  the  office  of  doing  itself  jus 
tice^,  that  I  appear.  We  are  here  to  night,  not  as 
peaceful  citizens  bent  on  prayers  and  hymn-singing, 
but  armed,  as  thou  seest,  and  bold  in  the  intention 
to  do  away  a  nuisance  from  the  neighborhood  for 
ever." 

"  Thy  words  are  as  little  friendly  as  thy  guise, 
and  what  thou  sayest  here,  but  too  well  answers  to 
Jiat  which  thy  rude  followers  perform  beyond  the 


298  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

walls  of  this  consecrated  spot.  Hast  thou  wel* 
pondered  on  this  bold  step  of  thy  town,  Herr  Hem- 
rich  ?" 

"  If  often  pondering  be  well  pondering,  it  hath 
been  before  us,  Bonifacius,  at  different  meetings, 
and  in  various  discussions,  any  time  this  year  past." 

"  And  hast  thou  no  dread  of  Rome  ?" 

"  That  is  an  authority  which  lessens  daily  in  this 
region,  holy  Benedictine.  Not  to  deal  doubly  by 
thee,  of  the  two  we  have  most  distrusted  the  anger 
of  Duke  Friedrich ;  but  that  fear  is  diminished  by 
the  certainty  that  he  hath  so  much  on  his  hands  just 
now,  that  his  thoughts  cannot  easily  turn  to  other 
affairs.  We  did  not  know,  in  sooth,  that  he  had 
recalled  his  men-at-efrms,  but  had  counted  on  some 
angry  discussion  with  those  obstinate  warriors;  and 
thou  wilt  easily  comprehend  that  their  absence  hath, 
in  no  manner,  lessened  our  faith  in  our  own  cause." 

"  The  Elector  may  regain  his  power,  when  a  day 
of  reckoning  will  come  for  those  who  have  dared 
to  profit  by  his  present  distress." 

"  We  are  traders  and  artisans,  good  Bonifacius, 
and  have  made  our  estimates  with  some  nicety.  If 
the  Abbey  must  be  paid  for — an  event  by  no  means 
certain — we  shall  count  the  bargain  profitable  so 
long  as  it  cannot  be  rebuilt.  Brother  Luther,  we 
think,  is  laying  a  corner-stone  that  will  prevent  the 
devil  from  ever  attempting  to  set  up  that  which  we 
now  propose  to  throw  down." 

"This  is  thy  final  answer,  Burgomaster?" 

"  Nay,  I  say  not  that,  Abbot.  Send  in  thy  terms 
to  the  town-council  to-morrow,  and,  if  we  can  en 
tertain  them,  it  may  happen  that  a  present  accom 
modation  shall  stop  all  further  claims.  But  what 
has  here  been  so  happily  commenced,  must  be  as 
happily  finished." 

"  Then  before  I  quit  these  holy  walls,  hearken  to 
my  malediction,"  returned  Bonifacius,  rising  with 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  299 

priestly  and  practised  dignity: — "on  thee  and  on 
thy  town — on  all  that  call  thee  magistrate — pa 
rent " 

"  Stay  the  dreadful  words !"  cried  a  piercing  fe- 
Tfiale  voice  from  among  the  columns  behind  the  choir. 
"Reverend  and  holy  Abbot,  have  mercy!"  added 
Ulrike,  pale,  trembling,  and  shaken  equally  with 
horror  and  alarm,  though  her  eye  was  bright  and 
wild,  like  that  of  one  sustained  by  more  than  human 
purpose:  "Holy  Priest,  forbear!  He  knows  not  what 
he  does.  Madness  hath  seized  on  him  and  on  the 
town.  They  are  but  tools  in  the  hands  of  one  more 
powerful  than  they." 

At  the  appearance  of  Ulrike,  Bonifacius  resumed 
his  seat,  disposed  to  await  the  effect  of  her  appeal. 

"  Thou  here !"  said  Heinrich,  regarding  his  wife 
with  surprise,  but  entirely  without  anger  or  suspi 
cion. 

"  Happily  here,  to  avert  this  fearful  crime  from 
thee  and  thy  household." 

"  I  had  thought  thee  at  thy  prayers  with  the  poor 
Herr  von  Ritterstein,  in  his  comfortless  hermitage 
of  the  Heidenmauer!" 

"  And  canst  thou  think  of  the  deed  which  hath 
driven  the  Herr  Odo  to  this  penitence  and  suffering, 
and  stand  here  armed  and  desperate!  Thou  seest 
that  years  do  not  suffice  to  relieve  a  soul  on  which 
the  weight  of  sacrilege  rests;  oh!  hadst  thou  been 
with  me,  to  witness  the  agony  that  preyed  upon 
poor  Odo,  as  he  knelt  at  yonder  step,  listening  to 
the  mass  that  hath  this  night  been  said  in  his  behalf, 
thou  mightest  better  know  how  deep  is  the  wound 
made  on  the  heart  that  hath  been  seared  by  God's 
anger!" 

"  This  is  most  strange!"  rejoined  the  wondering 
Burgomaster ;  "  that  those  whom  I  had  hoped  well 
disposed  of,  and  that  in  a  manner  neither  to  suspect 
nor  to  trouble  our  enterprise,  should  cross  us  at  the 


300  THE  HEIDENMAUEK. 

moment  when  all  is  so  near  completion!  Sapper- 
ment!  young  Berchthold,  thou  seest  in  what  manner 
matrimony  clogs  the  stoutest  of  us,  though  girded 
with  the  sword." 

"  And  thou,  Berchthold  Hintermayer,  son  of  my 
dearest  friend — child  of  my  fondest  hope, — thou 
comest,  too,  on  this  unhoJy  errand,  like  the  midnight 
robber,  stealing  upon  the  unarmed  and  consecra 
ted  !" 

"None  love,  or  none  reverence  thee,  more  than 
1,  Madame  Ulrike,"  answered  the  youth,  bowing 
with  sincere  respect;  "but  wert  thou  to  address 
thy  speech  to  the  Herr  Heinrich,  it  would  go  at 
once  to  him  who  directs  our  movements/' 

"Then  on  thee,  Burgomaster,  will  be  thrown  the 
heaviest  load  of  Heaven's  displeasure,  as  on  the 
]eader  of  the  outrage.  What  matters  it  that  the 
Benedictines  are  grasping,  or  overweening  in  their 
respect  for  themselves,  or  that  some  among  them 
have  forgotten  their  vows  ?  Is  not  this  temple  devo 
ted  to  God?  Are  not  these  his  altars,  before  which 
thou  hast  dared  to  come,  with  a  hostile  heart  and  an 
angry  purpose  ?" 

"  Go  to,  good  Ulrike,"  returned  Heinrich,  saluting 
the  cold  but  ever  handsome  cheek  of  his  wife,  who 
leaned  her  head  on  his  shoulder  to  recall  her  facul 
ties,  while  she  firmly  held  his  hand  with  both  her 
own,  as  if  to  stay  his  acts;  "Go  to,  thou  art  excel 
lent  in  thy  way,  but  what  can  thy  sex  know  of  poli 
cy?  This  matter  hath  been  had  up  before  many 
councils;  and — by  my  beard! — tongue  of  woman 
cannot  shake  the  resolutions  of  Deurckheim.  Go, 
depart  with  thy  nurse,  and  leave  us  to  do  our  plea 
sure." 

"  Is  it  thy  pleasure,  Heinrich,  to  brave  Heaven  ? 
Dost  thou  not  know,  that  the  crimes  of  the  parent 
are  visited  on  the  child — that  the  wrong  done  to-day 
however  we  may  triumph  in  present  success,  is  sure 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  301 

.o  revisit  us  in  the  dread  shape  of  punishment?  Were 
there  no  other  power  than  conscience,  so  long  as 
that  fearful  scourge  remains  on  earth,  'tis  vain  to 
expect  immunity.  Dost  thou  owe  all  to  thy  Deurck- 
heim  council  and  its  selfish  policy?  Hast  thou  for 
gotten  the  hour  that  my  pious  parents  gave  thee  my 
hand,  and  the  manner  in  which  thou  then  plighted 
thy  faith  to  protect  me  and  mine,  to  assume  the  place 
of  these  departed  friends,  to  be  father,  and  mother, 
and  husband,  to  her  thou  took  to  thy  bosom?  Is 
Meta — that  child  of  our  mutual  esteem — naught,  that 
thou  triflest  with  her  peace  and  hopes?  Lay  aside, 
then,  these  hasty  intentions,  and  turn  thy  mind  to 
thine  own  abode;  bethink  thee  of  those  whom  nature 
and  the  law  condemn  to  suffer  for  thy  faults,  or  to 
whom  both  have  given  the  dearer  right  to  rejoice 
in  thy  clemency  and  mercy." 

"  Was  ever  woman  so  bent  on  crossing  the  noble 
duties  of  man !"  said  the  Burgomaster,  who,  spite 
of  himself,  had  been  sensibly  moved  by  this  hasty 
and  comprehensive  picture  of  his  domestic  duties, 
and  who  was  greatly  troubled  to  find  the  means  of 
extricating  himself  from  the  position  in  which  he 
stood. — "  Thou  art  better  in  thy  chamber,  good 
Ulrike.  Meta  will  hear  of  this  onset,  and  have  her 
fears. — Go  then,  and  calm  the  child  ;  thou  shalt  have 
such  escort  as  becometh  my  quality  and  thy  de 
serts." 

"  Berchthold,  I  make  the  last  appeal  to  thee.  This 
cruel  father,  this  negligent  husband,  is  too  madly  bent 
on  his  council,  and  on  the  wild  policy  of  the  town,  to 
remember  God !  But  thou  hast  young  hopes,  and  sen 
timents  that  become  thy  years  and  virtue.  Dost  think, 
rash  boy,  that  one  like  Meta  will  dare  trust  the  last 
chance  of  happiness  to  a  participator  in  this  crime, 
when  such  an  inheritance  of  guilt  will  be  the  portion 
that  shall  descend  from  her  own  father?" 

A  stir  among  the  monks,  who  had  hitherto  listened 
2C 


302  THE  HE1DENMAUER. 

with  an  attention  that  vacillated  between  hope  and 
fear,  interrupted  the  answers  of  the  wavering  Bur 
gomaster  and  his  young  companion.  The  move 
ment  was  caused  by  the  entrance  of  the  group, 
which,  until  now,  had  stood  aloof  in  the  obscurity 
of  the  great  aisle,  but  which  seized  the  moment  of 
doubt,  to  advance  into  the  centre  of  the  choir.  One, 
closely  muffled,  walked  from  out  its  centre,  and 
throwing  aside  the  cloak  that  had  concealed  his 
form,  showed  the  armed  person  of  Emich  of  Lein- 
ingen.  The  moment  Ulrike  recognized  the  unbend 
ing  eye  of  the  Baron,  she  buried  her  face  in  her 
hands,  and  quitted  the  place.  She  went  not  unat 
tended,  however,  for  both  her  husband  and  Bercht- 
hold  followed  anxiously;  nor  did  either  return  to 
the  work  of  the  night,  until  he  had  seen  the  heart- 
stricken  wife  and  mother  under  the  protection  of  a 
well-chosen  company  of  the  townsmen. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

"  He,  who  the  sword  of  heaven  will  bear, 
Should  be  as  holy  as  severe — " 

Measure  for  Measure. 

THE  first  glances  between  Emich  and  Bonifacius 
were  filled  with  those  passions  which  each  had  so 
-ong  dissembled,  and  of  which  the  reader  has  al 
ready  had  glimpses  during  the  more  unguarded  mo 
ments  of  the  recent  debauch.  In  the  eyes  of  the 
Count,  triumph  mingled  with  hatred ;  while  there 
still  remained  a  slight  covering  of  artifice  and  cau 
tion  about  the  lineaments  of  the  Abbot,  masks  that 
he  scarcely  thought  it  yet  expedient  to  throw  en 
tirely  aside. 

"  We  owe  this  visit,  then,  to  thee,  Herr  Emich  ?" 
said  the  latter,  struggling  to  appear  calm. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  303 

"  And  to  thine  own  desert,  most  holy  Bonifacius." 

"  What  wouldst  thou,  audacious  Baron?" 

"  Peace  in  this  oft-violated  valley — humility  in 
shaven  crowns — religion  without  hypocrisy — and 
mine  own." 

"  I  will  not  talk  to  thee  of  Heaven,  bold  man,  for 
the  word  were  blasphemy  in  such  a  presence;  but 
thou  art  not  yet  so  lost  to  worldly  policy  as  to  over 
look  the  punishment  of  the  Empire.  Hast  thou  well 
counted  thy  gold,  and  art  thou  sure  thy  coffers  are 
sufficiently  stored  to  rebuild  the  sainted  pile  which 
thy  hand  would  fain  destroy — or  dost  think  thy  riches 
can  replace  all  that  pious  princes  have  here  bestow 
ed,  during  ages  in  which  the  Church  hath  been  duly 
reverenced?" 

"  As  to  thy  vessels  and  precious  stones,  reverend 
Abbot,  it  shall  be  my  heed  to  preserve  them  to  meet 
this  demand,  which  haply  may  never  be  made;  and 
as  to  the  cost  of  rebuilding  the  Abbey,  why  the 
same  notable  workman  that  helped  first  to  set  it  up, 
will  owe  me  a  good  turn  for  punishing  those  that 
outwitted  him,  and  sent  him  away  without  the  prom 
ised  boon  of  souls.  Though,  God's  truth  !  were  the 
fact  fairly  dived  into,  I  am  of  opinion  that  Limburg, 
after  all,  hath  sent  more  customers  to  his  furnaces, 
than  all  the  drinking-inns  and  pot-houses  of  the  Pa 
latinate!" 

This  sally  of  their  Lord  produced  a  general  and 
deriding  laugh  among  his  followers,  who  now  began 
to  flock  into  the  church  from  other  parts  of  the 
Abbey,  with  the  expectation  that  there  was  rich 
plunder  to  be  had  in  the  sanctuary.  It  was  about 
this  time,  too,  that  a  brand  was  cast  among  the 
straw  of  the  barracks,  and  the  strong  light  which 
glared  through  the  stained  windows  very  effectually 
told  the  monks  of  the  inefficiency  of  further  remon 
strances. 

Notwithstanding  his  known  licentiousness,  and  the 


304  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

general  freedom  of  his  life,  the  Abbot  had  imbibed, 
from  the  high  objects  of  his  calling,  by  that  secret 
process  that  renders  even  the  least  deserving  in 
some  measure  subject  to  the  influence  of  their  pro 
fessions,  a  cast  of  dignity,  and  perhaps  we  might 
add  even  of  sincerity  (for  there  is  often  a  strange 
admixture  of  inherent  faith  and  practical  unbelief 
about  the  dissolute)  that  caused  him  frequently  to 
rise  to  the  level  of  his  most  solemn  duties.  A  char 
acter  strong  and  masculine  as  his,  could  not  be 
aroused  without  displaying  some  of  its  latent  ener 
gies,  be  it  for  good  or  be  it  for  evil ;  and  Emich  had 
doubts  of  the  result,  when  he  witnessed  the  manner 
in  which  his  enemy  succeeded  in  repressing  his 
fierce  resentment,  and  the  expression  of  clerical 
dignity  and  official  calmness  that  reigned  in  his 
countenance.  The  Abbot  arose,  like  a  prelate  in 
the  undisturbed  exercise  of  his  functions,  and  rais 
ing  his  voice,  so  as  to  send  his  words  to  the  deepest 
recesses  of  the  chapel,  he  spoke  after  the  manner 
of  the  peculiar  rites  of  the  Church  he  served. 

"  God,  in  his  hidden  wisdom,  hath  permitted  to 
the  wicked  a  momentary  triumph,"  he  said;  "we 
search  not  now  into  the  reasons  of  this  mysterious 
dispensation ;  the  truth  will  be  known  in  his  own 
time : — but,  as  servitors  of  the  altar — as  guardians 
of  this  holy  sanctuary — as  the  sworn  and  professed 
of  Heaven — as  one  consecrated  and  blessed — there 
remaineth  a  solemn,  an  imperative  duty  to  perform." 

"  Bonifacius,  beware  !"  interrupted  the  Count  of 
Leiningen ;  "  thou  dealest  not  now  with  burgomasters 
and  weeping  wives." 

"  In  the  behalf,  then,  of  that  God  to  whom  this 
shrine  hath  been  raised,"  continued  the  unmoved 
Abbot,  "in  his  holy  interest,  and  in  his  holy  name" — 

"  At  thy  peril,  priest !"  and  Emich  shook,  partly 
in  anger,  and  partly  in  a  terror  he  could  scarce  ex 
plain. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  300 

"As  his  unworthy  but  necessary  minister — as 
Consecrated  and  blessed— gifted  with  the  power  by 
the  head  of  the  Church,  and  now  required  to  use  it, 
do  I  pronounce  thee" — 

"  Where  are  ye,  followers  of  Hartenburg  1  Down 
with  the  silly  maledictions  of  this  mad  monk ;  re 
member  ye  are  not  trembling  women,  to  need  a 
Benedictine's  blessing !" 

The  voice  of  Emich  was  drowned,  as  well  as 
that  of  the  Abbot,  by  the  noises  that  were  now 
raised  in  the  chapel.  The  first  interruption  came 
from  a  long  dark  instrument,  that  was  thrust  from 
out  of  the  aisle  behind  the  throne  of  Bonifacius,  and 
within  a  few  feet  of  his  head ;  an  interruption  that 
filled  the  whole  edifice  with  the  wild,  plaintive 
strains  of  the  mountains. 

This  signal,  which  came  from  the  cherry-wood 
trumpet  of  Gottlob,  who  rarely  went  abroad  without 
this  badge  of  his  profession,  was  immediately  fol 
lowed  by  a  general  shout  from  the  band  of  the 
Count,  and  by  a  variety  of  similar  sounds,  that  were 
raised  by  different  instruments  that  had  hitherto  been 
mute.  The  effect  of  these  shrill  strains,  echoing 
among  the  vaulted  and  fretted  roofs,  which  were 
brightly  illuminated  by  the  growing  and  fierce  light 
that  now  pervaded  the  church,  and  of  the  seeming 
calm  of  the  Abbot,  who  ended  his  malediction,  spite 
of  the  uproar,  is  left  to  the  reader's  imagination. 
When  he  had  finished  the  unheard  curse,  Bonifacius 
looked  about  him  in  gloomy  observation. 

It  was  evident  to  his  cool  and  instructed  mind, 
which  was  far  too  earthly  in  its  habits,  to  cling  to 
any  hopes  of  a  merely  spiritual  nature,  that  the  out 
rage  had  already  gone  so  far,  as  to  render  it  more 
hazardous  to  his  enemy  to  retreat  than  to  advance. 
Signing  to  the  community,  he  descended  slowly,  and 
with  dignity,  from  his  throne,  and  led  the  way  from 
the  choir.  The  ready  monks  obeyed,  the  fraternity 
2C2 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

walking  from  that  extraordinary  scene,  in  their  cus 
tomary  silent  order.  Emich  followed  the  dark  pro 
cession  with  a  troubled  eye,  for  even  the  conqueror 
regards  the  calm  retreat  of  his  foes  with  uneasiness, 
and  there  was  an  instant  of  painful  distrust  of  his 
own  purpose,  as  the  last  flowing  robe  vanished 
through  a  private  door  that  led  to  a  secret  postern, 
by  which  the  routed  Benedictines  quitted  a  mountain, 
where  they  had  so  long  dwelt,  in  the  calm,  and,  we 
might  add,  in  the  ease,  of  an  affluent  and  privileged 
seclusion. 

The  invaders  of  the  Abbey  took  this  open  aban 
donment  of  the  place  by  its  ancient  possessors,  to 
be  an  unequivocal  admission  of  their  triumph.  There 
is  no  moment  so  likely  to  produce  excesses,  as  that 
in  which  the  uncertainty  of  strife  is  changed  to  the 
certainty  of  victory.  The  feelings  seem  willing  to 
avenge  themselves  for  all  their  previous  doubts,  and 
man  is  ever  too  ready  to  ascribe  his  successes  to  some 
inherent  qualities,  which  give  him  an  apparent  right 
to  abuse  any  advantages  that  may  happen  to  be 
their  consequence.  The  band  of  the  castle  and  the 
people  of  the  town,  among  whom  a  large  propor 
tion  had  to  the  last  distrusted  the  presence  of  the 
community,  to  which  vulgar  opinion  attributed  the 
power  of  working  miracles,  no  sooner  found  them 
selves,  as  they  believed,  in  undisputed  possession  of 
the  mountain,  than  the  reaction  of  feeling,  to  which 
there  has  just  been  allusion,  urged  them  to  increase 
their  violence,  and  to  redouble  those  efforts  which 
had  momentarily  been  checked. 

A  shout  of  triumph  was  the  common  signal  for 
renewing  the  assault.  It  was  followed  by  the  crash 
ing  of  windows,  and  the  overthrow  of  every  fixture 
in  the  body  of  the  church,  that  was  not  too  solid  to 
resist  their  first  and  ill-directed  efforts,  and  a  gene 
ral  mutilation  of  the  monuments  and  labored  statuary. 
Marble  cherubs  fell  on  every  side,  wings  and  limbg 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  307 

of  angels  separated  from  the  trunks,  and  the  grave 
and  bearded  visages  of  many  an  honored  saint  were 
doomed  to  endure  contumely  and  fractures.  Even 
the  inferior  altars  were  no  longer  respected,  but  they 
and  their  decorations  were  ruthlessly  scattered,  as 
if  the  enmity  of  the  conquerors  was  tranferred  from 
those  who  had  administered  at  them,  to  the  dreaded 
Being  in  whose  name  the  rites  had  been  celebrated. 

The  reader  will  imagine  the  confusion  and  tumult 
that  attended  a  scene  like  this.  During  the  uproar, 
Emich  buried  his  face  in  his  mantle,  and  paced  to 
and  fro  in  the  choir,  which  his  presence,  and  per 
haps  some  lingering  reverence  for  the  sacred  spot, 
still  preserved  from  violence.  He  was  joined  only 
by  the  Burgomaster  and  Berchthold,  the  remainder 
of  the  party  having  mingled  with  those  who  were 
destroying  the  chapels  and  decorations  of  the  church. 
Heinrich  seated  himself  in  one  of  the  vacant  stalls, 
for  the  recent  scene  and  the  subsequent  parting  with 
his  wife  had  shaken  his  resolution ;  while  the  young 
Forester  advanced  respectfully  to  the  side  of  his 
lord. 

"Is  the  Herr  Count  troubled?"  demanded  the 
latter,  after  a  moment  of  deferential  silence. 

Emich  dropped  the  cloak,  and  leaning  a  hand 
familiarly  on  the  shoulder  of  his  young  servitor,  he 
stood  regarding  the  gorgeous  riches  and  the  elabo 
rate  beauty  of  the  high  altar,  all  of  which  was  ren 
dered  doubly  imposing  by  the  powerful  light  that 
now  illuminated  the  whole  interior  of  the  edifice, 
which  was  never  more  beautiful  than  as  then  seen, 
with  its  strong  relief  and  deep  shadows. 

"  Berchthold,  there  is  a  God!"  he  said  with  em 
phasis. 

"  None  but  the  fool  doubts  it,  Herr  Emich." 

"  And  he  hath  his  ministers  on  earth — those  whom 
ne  hath  commissioned  to  do  him  pleasure,  and  to 
burn  his  incense." 


308  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"We  have  high  authority  for  this  belief,  my  good 
Lord." 

"  We  have — the  authority  is  high,  that  hath  so 
much  antiquity — which  so  suits  our  secret  desires — • 
which  descends  to  us  from  our  fathers." 

"And  which  is  so  supported  by  proofs,  sacred 
and  profane." 

"  Thou  hast  been  well  schooled,  good  Berchthold," 
said  the  Count,  looking  earnestly  at  his  companion, 

"  Heaven  left  me  a  pious  and  tender  mother, 
when  it  took  my  father  away." 

Emich  continued  to  lean  on  the  shoulder  of  Bercht 
hold,  while  his  eye,  in  which  sternness  of  purpose 
was  singularly  blended  with  the  waverings  of  doubt, 
never  turned  from  its  contemplation  of  the  altar. 
Above  the  chased  and  gilded  cabinet  which  contain 
ed  the  host,  was  a  small  picture  of  the  Mother  of 
Christ,  delineated  in  those  mild  and  attractive  colors 
with  which  the  pencil  is  accustomed  to  portray  the 
Virgin  Wife  of  Joseph.  Her  eye  seemed  to  meet 
the  gaze  of  Emich  in  sorrow.  It  was  easy  to  fancy 
the  gentle  expression  was  in  reproach  of  the  sacri 
lege. 

"  These  Benedictines  are  at  length  unhoused" — 
he  continued,  trying  fruitlessly  to  avert  his  look 
from  that  mild  but  expressive  image ;  "  they  have 
too  long  ridden  roughly  on  their  betters." 

Berchthold  bow< 


"  Dost  thou  see  aught  strange,  youth,  in  that  image 
of  Maria?" 

"  'Tis  a  skilful  design,  Herr  Count,  and  a  fair  face 
to  regard." 

"  Methinks  it  looks  upon  this  violence  with  an  evil 
eye!" 

"'Tis  but  the  work  of  an  ingenious  man,  my 
Lord,  and  cannot  look  other  than  it  hath  always 
seemed." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  309 

"  Dost  think  thus,  Berchthold  ?  There  are  many 
who  pretend  that  images  and  paintings  have  been 
known  to  speak,  when  it  was  Heaven's  pleasure." 

"  They  relate  such  legends,  my  good  Lord,  but 
these  are  events  that  are  little  wont  to  touch  those 
who  are  not  much  disposed  to  see  them." 

"  And  yet  in  these  facts  had  my  fathers  faith,  and 
in  this  belief  was  I  trained !" 

Berchthold  was  mute,  his  own  education  having 
been  more  suited  to  the  growing  opinions  of  the 
times 

"  That  God  can  surpass  the  ordinary  workings 
of  nature,  to  effect  his  pleasure,"  continued  Emich, 
"we  may  at  least  believe." 

"  It  may  be  believed,  Herr  Count,  but  is  it  neces 
sary?  He  who  made  nature  may  use  it  at  his  plea 
sure." 

"  Ha  !  thou  hast  no  faith  in  miracles,  boy!" 

4  I  am  myself  a  miracle,  that  tells  me  every  mo 
ment  of  the  existence  of  a  superior  power;  and  in 
that  much  I  bend  to  its  control.  But  it  hath  never 
been  my  fortune  to  hear  an  image  speak,  or  see  it 
do  aught  else  that  belongs  to  the  will." 

"  By  my  father's  bones  !  but  thou  art  fit  to  deal 
with  the  cunningest  knave  that  wears  a  cowl !  How 
now,  brave  followers !"  turning  towards  his  people ; 
"  leave  no  vestige  of  the  roguery  and  abominations 
that  have  so  long  been  done  within  these  polluted 
walls  !" 

"  Herr  Count !"  said  Berchthold  eagerly,  presum 
ing  in  his  haste  to  touch  the  cloak  of  Emich,  "  here 
are  the  Benedictines !" 

The  word  caused  the  bold,  and  at  that  moment  the 
independent  Baron  to  turn  suddenly,  laying  a  hand 
on  his  sword,  as  he  did  so.  But  the  hand  released 
its  grasp,  and  the  features  of  Emich  immediately 
reverted  to  their  former  expression  of  anxiety  and 
doubt,  at  what  he  now  beheld. 


310  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

By  this  time  all  of  the  different  edifices  which 
composed  the  Abbey  of  Limburg  were  fired,  the 
church  and  its  imme'diate  appendages  alone  except- 
ed.  The  consequence  was  such  an  increase  of  light 
within  the  latter,  as  penetrated  the  most  obscure  of 
its  Gothic  recesses.  The  choir,  above  all,  received 
the  strongest  illumination ;  and  young  Berchthold 
thought  its  tracery  never  appeared  so  beautiful  as  in 
that  fearful  moment  of  impending  destruction.  The 
candles  and  lamps  of  the  great  altar  began  to  look 
dim,  and  all  around  prevailed  the  glorious  and  fiery 
brightness  which  accompanies  a  fierce  conflagration. 
During  the  instant  that  Emich  was  turned  towards 
his  people,  two  monks  had  come  from  the  sacristy, 
and  placed  themselves  on  the  steps  of  the  altar.  They 
were  the  Prior  and  Father  Johan.  The  former  bore 
a  small  ivory  crucifix,  which  from  time  to  time  he 
kissed,  while  the  latter  placed  at  his  feet  a  massive 
and  curiously  carved  chest,  of  sufficient  size  and 
weight  to  have  required  the  aid  of  a  lay-brother  to 
bring  it  from  its  repository. 

The  countenance  of  the  Prior  was  mild,  persua 
sive,  and  filled  with  holy  concern.  That  of  his 
companion  flushed,  excited,  and  bearing  the  look  of 
feverish  fire,  which  is  the  effect  of  an  enthusiasm 
that  springs  as  much  from  temperament,  as  from 
conviction. 

Emich  looked  at  the  Benedictines  uneasily,  and 
he  advanced  so  near,  always  attended  by  the  Forest 
er,  as  to  be  within  reach  of  his  arm. 

"  'Fore  God,  but  ye  are  tardy,  Fathers,"  he  said, 
determined  to  assume  an  indifference  he  was  far 
from  feeling ;  "  the  pious  Bonifacius  hath  departed 
many  minutes,  and  quickened,  as  he  is,  by  love  of 
his  person,  I  make  no  question  that  his  footsteps 
have  already  gone  down  the  mountain  side  !" 

"  Thou  hast  at  length  yielded  to  the  whispering 
of  the  devil,  Count  of  Leiningen  !"  returned  the 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  311 

Prior;  "thou  art  resolute  that  this  blot  shall  rest 
upon  thy  soul !" 

"  We  are  not  at  confession,  holy  Arnolph,  but  en 
gaged  in  a  knightly  redressing  of  our  rights ;  if  thou 
hast  aught  here,  that  is  dear  to  thee,  take  it,  of  God's 
name,  and  go  thy  way.  Thou  shalt  have  safe  con 
duct,  were  it  to  the  gates  of  Rome ;  for,  of  all  thy 
fraternity,  thou  art  he  for  whom  alone  I  feel  regret 
or  amity,  in  this  just  enterprise." 

"  I  know  not  this  difference  in  love,  when  it  touches 
the  existence  of  our  shrine,  or  the  duty  that  ties  us 
to  its  service.  This  question  is  not  between  thee  and 
me,  Lord  Emich,  but  between  thee  and  God !" 

"  Have  it  as  thou  wilt,  Herr  Prior,  so  thou  dost 
but  depart  in  peace." 

"  I  am  not  weak  enough  to  resist  when  resistance 
is  vain,"  mildly  answered  the  Monk ;  "  nor  am  I 
quick  to  desert  my  post,  while  there  is  hope.  Thou 
hast  not  well  bethought  thee  of  this  act,  Emich ; 
thou  hast  not  remembered  thy  posterity,  nor  thy  kind 
interest  in  the  noble  Ermengarde  !" 

"  Dost  fancy  me  an  uxorious  citizen,  reverend 
Arnolph,  that  thou  wouldest  fain  stop  a  knight  in  his 
onset,  by  speaking  of  the  good  wife  and  her  babes  ?" 

As  he  concluded,  Emich  laughed. 

"  Thou  hast  not  well  conceived  me.  This  is  not 
a  question  of  death  in  battle,  or  of  the  grief  of  those 
who  survive ;  for  such  thoughts  are,  unhappily,  but 
too  common  with  those  who  rule  the  earth,  to  raise 
disquiet;  but  I  would  speak  to  thee  of  the  long 
future  and  of  its  pains.  Dost  thou  know,  irreverend 
Baron,  that  the  God  of  Israel — who  is  my  God  and 
thine — the  God  of  Israel  hath  said,  that  he  will  visit 
the  sins  of  the  parent  upon  the  descendant,  from 
generation  to  generation?  and  yet,  blinded  by  this 
specious  success,  thou  seemest  to  court  his  anger." 

"  This  may  be  so  or  not ;  for  ye  of  the  cloisters 
have  many  subtle  ways  of  reasoning  as  you  wish ; 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

but  to  me  it  appeareth  better  that  each  should  suffei 
for  his  own  sins ;  and  such,  I  take  it,  is  what  the 
community  of  Limburg  doth  now  undergo." 

"That  we  have  done  much  evil,  and  neglected 
much  good,  is,  alas,  too  true  !" 

"  By  the  kings  of  Koeln !  thou  art  getting  to  be 
of  our  side,  holy  Arnolph !" 

"  For  such  is  the  common  course,"  continued  the 
unmoved  Prior, — "  but  that  thou  art  not  our  judge 
is  equally  certain.  That  each  does  and  will  suffer 
for  his  own  acts  is  beyond  denial,  but  the  fearful 
consequences  of  crime  do  not  stop  with  him  who 
hath  committed  it.  This  much  is  taught  us  by  reason , 
and  what  is  still  more  sure,  it  is  consecrated  by 
words  from  God's  own  mouth.  Ponder,  then,  whilsl 
thou  may,  on  the  load  of  sorrow  thou  art  heaping  on 
thy  descendants:  remember  that  thou  standest  there, 
subject  to  goading  passions,  the  miserable  being 
thou  art,  simply  that  in  thy  person  thou  payest  the 
price  of  a  parent's  sins.  What  our  common  father 
did,  is  still  avenged  on  us  his  children." 

"  How  now,  Herr  Prior,  thou  pushest  my  pedi 
gree  much  beyond  its  pretensions.  Noble  and  prince 
ly,  if  thou  wilt,  but  I  pass  not  the  dark  ages  in  any 
of  my  claims.  Let  them  that  have  greater  ambition 
pay  for  the  purchase  in  the  way  thou  namest ;  I  am 
content  with  more  modern  honors." 

Emich  spoke  jeeringly,  but  the  attentive  Monk 
saw  that  he  was  troubled. 

"  If  thou  hast  no  thought  for  posterity — none  foi 
thyself — none  for  thy  God,  Emich,"  the  latter  resum 
ed,  "  bethink  thee  of  those  who  have  gone  before. 
Hast  already  forgotten  thy  visit  to  the  tombs  of 
thy  family?" 

"  Thou  hast  me  there,  Arnolph ! — those  sacred 
vaults  have  been  thy  convent's  shield  these  many 
months !" 

"  And  thou  art  now  disposed  to  forget  them  ?" 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  313 

**  If  thou  wilt  ask  yon  honest  men,  they  will  tell 
thee,  Prior,  they  have  no  order  to  spare  the  meanest 
of  thy  marble  cherubs,  even  though  it  hover  over 
a  grave  of  mine  own  house." 

"  Then  do  I  indeed  despair  of  touching  thy  heart !" 
answered  Father  Arnolph,  sorrowing  as  much  for 
the  crime  as  for  its  consequences.  "  Then  indeed 
art  thou  madly  and  ruthlessly  bent,  not  only  on  our 
destruction,  but  on  thine  own ;  for  pity  for  the  child, 
and  love  of  the  parent,  are  equally  despised  Emich 
of  Leiningen,  I  curse  thee  not — this  is  a  weapon 
too  fearful  for  human  hands  lightly  to  wield. — I 
bless  thee  not ;  duty  to  God  forbids  the  holy  office." 

"  Hold !  reverend  Arnolph,  let  us  not  part  in  anger 
— I  would,  in  sooth,  crave  from  thy  worthy  hands 
some  touch  of  consolation — if — ay — if  there  be 
chapel  in  this  church,  for  which  thou  hast  more  than 
usual  reverence,  let  it  be  named,  and  I  swear,  by 
knight's  faith,  unless  the  work  be  already  done,  it 
shall  stand  unscathed  amid  the  ruins,  in  testimony 
of  my  love  for  thee — or  if  thou  hast  aught  here  of 
price,  whether  of  monkish  or  worldly  value,  point 
it  out,  that  it  may  be  held  safe  for  thy  better  leisure. 
In  return,  I  ask  but  the  parting  words  of  peace." 

"  'Tis  forbidden  to  those  who  war  against  God," 
returned  the  grieved  Prior,  releasing  his  robe  from 
the  eager  grasp  of  the  Baron. — "  I  can  and  will  pray 
for  thee,  Emich ;  but  to  bless  thee  were  treachery 
to  Heaven  !" 

So  saying,  the  pious  Arnolph  buried  his  face  in 
his  dress,  to  shut  out  the  view  of  the  profanation 
that  was  working  around  him,  and  withdrew  slowly 
from  the  choir. 

2D 


314  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTEE  XXL 

A vaunt ! 

Incarnate  Lucifer !  'tis  holy  ground  : 
A  martyr's  ashes  now  lie  there,  which  make  it 
A  shrine. — 

BYRON. 

DURING  the  foregoing  scene,  the  Benedictine 
already  known  to  the  reader  as  Father  Johan,  had 
awaited  its  issue  with  a  species  of  lofty  patience  on 
the  steps  of  the  altar.  But  in  a  character  so  ex 
aggerated,  there  remained  little  that  was  purely 
natural ;  even  the  forbearance  of  the  Monk  partook 
of  the  forced  and  fervid  qualities  of  his  mind.  Con 
ventual  discipline,  deep  and  involuntary  respect  for 
the  Prior,  and  that  very  disdain  which  he  felt  for 
all  gentle  means  of  recalling  a  sinner  to  the  fold, 
kept  him  tolerably  tranquil,  while  Emich  and  his 
spiritual  superior  held  their  parley;  but  there  was  a 
gleam  of  wild  delight  in  his  eye,  when  he  found,  of 
all  that  powerful  and  boasted  fraternity,  that  he 
alone  remained  to  defend  the  altars.  The  feeling 
of  the  moment  in  such  a  breast,  notwithstanding 
the  scene  of  tumult  that  rather  increased  than  di 
minished  in  the  church,  was  that  of  triumph.  He 
exulted  in  his  own  constancy,  and  he  anticipated  the 
effects  which  were  to  follow  from  his  firmness,  with 
the  self-complacency  of  a  prurient  confidence,  and 
with  the  settled  conviction  of  an  enthusiast. 

Emich  took  little  heed  of  his  presence,  during 
the  first  moments  that  succeeded  the  departure  of 
the  Prior.  There  is  a  majesty,  and  a  quiet  energy 
in  truth  and  sound  principles,  that  happily  form 
their  constant  buttresses.  Without  this  wise  pro 
vision  of  Providence,  the  \vorld  would  be  hopelessly 
abandoned  to  the  machinations  of  those  who  con 
sider  all  means  lawful,  provided  the  ends  tend  to 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  315 

their  own  success.  All  near  the  Abbey  of  Limburg 
had  felt  the  influence  of  these  high  qualities  in 
Father  Arnolph,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  city  of  Canaan,  had  the  com 
munity  contained  four  of  his  spiritual  peers  the 
Abbey  would  not  have  fallen 

The  Count,  in  particular,  who,  like  all  that  first 
break  from  mental  servitude,  was  so  often  troubled 
with  strong  doubts,  had  long  entertained  a  deep 
respect  for  this  monk ;  and  it  is  not  improbable,  that 
had  the  pious  Arnolph  fully  understood  his  own 
power,  by  an  earlier  and  more  vigilant  use  of  his 
means,  he  might  have  found  a  w?ay  to  avert  the 
blow  that  had  now  alighted  on  Limburg.  But  the 
meekness  and  modesty  of  the  Prior  were  qualities 
as  strongly  marked  as  his  more  active  virtues,  and 
the  policy  of  Limburg  was  not  of  a  character  to 
rely  on  either  for  its  security. 

"  There  is  good  in  that  brother,"  said  Emich  to 
Berchthold,  when  his  thoughtful  eye  again  rose  to 
the  face  of  the  young  Forester. — "  Had  he  been 
mitred,  instead  of  Bonifacius,  our  rights  might  have 
still  suffered." 

"  Few  are  more  beloved  than  Father  Arnolph, 
Herr  Count,  and  none  so  deserve  to  be." 

"  Thou  art  of  this  mind !  How  now,  Master 
Heinrich !  art  in  monkish  meditation  in  thy  stall,  or 
dost  dispose  of  the  lesson  of  the  virtuous  Ulrike, 
more  at  thy  ease,  in  a  seat  where  so  much  substan 
tial  carnal  aliment  hath  been  digested  by  godly 
Benedictines !  Come  to  the  front,  like  a  stout  soldier 
and  give  us  the  savor  of  thy  good  wisdom  in  this 
strait." 

"  Methinks,  our  work  is  well-nigh  done,  Lord  Emich,'' 
answered  Heinrich,  complying  with  the  request , 
"my  faithful  townsmen  are  not  idle  in  the  chapels 
and  among  the  tombs,  and  the  sledge  of  yon  smith 
dealeth  with  an  angel  an*  it  were  a  bar  of  molten 


316  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

iron.  Each  stroke  leaves  a  mark  that  no  chisel  wiF 
repair !" 

"Let  the  knaves  amuse  themselves;  every  blow 
is  quickened  by  the  recollection  of  some  hard  pen 
ance.  Thou  seest  that  they  place  the  confessionals 
in  a  pile  ready  for  the  torch !  This  is  attacking  the 
enemy  in  his  citadel.  But  Heinrich,  is  the  excellent 
Ulrike  wont  to  come  forth  with  thee  in  thy  frays 
against  the  church  ?  God's  judgments  !  Were  Er- 
tnengarde  of  this  humor,  we  should  have  no  hope  of 
salvation  in  our  castle  !" 

"  You  do  my  wife  injustice,  Herr  Count ;  Ulrike 
was  here  to  pray,  and  not  to  encourage." 

"Thou  mightest  have  spared  the  explanation,  for 
truly  such  encouragement  never  did  soldier  need ! 
Wert  privy  to  the  visit, — ha ! — wert  privy,  worthy 
Burgomaster  ?" 

"  To  speak  you  honestly,  Herr  Emich,  I  thought 
the  woman  otherwise  bestowed." 

"  By  the  Magi ! — in  her  bed  1" 

"Nay,  at  her  prayers,  but  in  a  different  place. 
But.  we  do  her  too  much  honor,  noble  Emich,  to  let 
the  movements  ot  a  mere  housewife  occupy  our 
high  thoughts  in  this  busy  moment." 

"  Nothing  that  touches  thee  is  of  light  concern 
with  thy  friends,  good  Burgomaster,"  answered  the 
Baron,  who  pondered  with  instinctive  uneasiness, 
even  in  that  moment  of  tumult,  on  this  visit  01" 
Ulrike  to  the  Benedictines,  at  an  hour  so  unusual. 

"  Thou  art  well  wived,  Herr  Heinrich,  and  all 
that  know  thy  consort  do  her  honor  !" 

The  Burgomaster  was  a  man  by  far  too  well  sat 
isfied  writh  his  own  superior  merits  to  harbor  jeal 
ousy.  Self-complacency  might  have  been  at  the 
bottom  of  his  security,  though  it  were  scarce  possi 
ble  for  one  even  much  more  addicted  by  nature  to 
that  tormenting  passion,  to  have  lived  so  long  in 
perfect  familiarity  with  the  pure  mind  of  Ulrike, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  317 

without  feeling  reverence  for  its  principles  and  virtue. 
The  sentiments  of  the  Baron  were  very  different ; 
for  though  in  his  heart  equally  convinced  of  the 
character  of  her  to  whom  he  alluded,  he  could  not 
altogether  exclude  the  suspicions  of  a  man  of  loose 
habits,  nor  the  uneasiness  of  one  who  had  himself 
been  discarded.  The  answer  of  the  husband,  how 
ever,  served  to  turn  the  discourse,  by  giving  the  Bur 
gomaster  an  opportunity  of  placing  himself  in  the 
most  prominent  relief. 

"A  thousand  thanks,  illustrious  Herr,"  he  said, 
raising  his  cap;  "the  woman  is  not  amiss,  though 
much  troubled  with  infirmity  on  the  score  of  altars 
and  penances.  When  we  shall  have  fairly  disposed 
of  Limburg,  another  reign  will  commence  among 
our  wives  and  daughters,  and  we  can  hope  for  more 
•juiet  Sabbaths.  As  to  this  grace  of  your  present 
speech,  Lord  Count,  I  take  it,  as  it  was  no  doubt 
meant,  to  be  another  pledge  of  our  lasting  amity 
and  close  alliance." 

"Thou  talkest  well,"  quickly  answered  Emich, 
losing  the  passing  feeling  of  distrust  in  the  recollec 
tion  of  his  present  purpose;  "no  words  of  friend 
ship  are  lost,  on  a  true  and  sworn  supporter.  Well, 
Heinrich,  is  our  affair  finally  achieved  ?" 

"  Sapperment !  Herr  Count,  if  not  finished,  it  is 
111  a  fair  way  to  be  so  quickly." 

"  Here  remaineth  a  Benedictine  !'  said  Berchthold, 
drawing  their  attention  to  the  Monk,  who  still  main 
tained  his  post  on  the  steps  of  the  altar. 

"  The  bees  do  not  relish  quitting  their  hive,  while 
any  of  the  hard  earnings  are  left,"  said  the  Count, 
laughing;  "what  wculdst  thou,  Father  Johan? — if 
thy  careful  mind  hath  had  thought  of  the  precious 
vessels,  make  thy  choice  and  depart." 

The  Benedictine  returned  the  laugh  of  the  noble, 
with  a  smile  of  deep  but  quiet  exultation. 

"Assemble  thy  followers,  rude  Baron,"  he  said; 
2  D  2 


318  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  call  all  within  thy  control  to  this  sanctified  spot, 
for  there  yet  remaineth  a  power  to  be  overcome  of 
which  thou  hast  not  taken  heed;  at  the  moment 
when  thou  fanciest  thyself  most  secure,  art  thou 
nearest  to  disgrace  and  to  destruction." 

As  the  excited  Monk  suited  his  words  by  a  cor 
responding  energy  of  emphasis  and  tone,  Emich 
recoiled  a  step,  like  one  who  distrusted  a  secret 
mine.  The  desperate  character  of  Father  Johan's 
enthusiasm  was  well  known,  and  neither  of  the 
three  listeners  was  without  apprehension,  that  the 
fraternity,  aware  of  the  invasion,  had  plotted  some 
deep  design  of  vengeance,  which  this  exaggerated 
brother  had  been  deputed  to  execute. 

"  Ho !  without  there  !"  cried  the  Count — "  Let  a 
party  descend  quickly  to  the  crypt,  and  look  to  the 
villanies  of  these  pretended  saints ;  cousin  of  Vieder- 
bach,"  revealing  in  the  eagerness  of  the  moment 
the  presence  of  this  sworn  soldier  of  the  Cross,  "see 
thou  to  our  safety,  for  the  Rhodian  warfare  hath 
made  thee  familiar  with  these  treacheries." 

The  call  of  the  Count,  which  was  uttered  like  a 
battle  cry,  stayed  the  hands  of  the  destroyers 
Some  rushed  to  obey  the  order,  while  most  of  the 
others  gathered  hastily  into  the  choir.  It  is  certain 
that  the  presence  of  fellow-sufferers  diminishes  the 
force  of  fear,  even  though  it  may  in  truth  increase 
the  danger ;  for  such  is  the  constitution  of  our  minds, 
that  they  willingly  admit  the  influence  of  sympathy 
whether  it  be  in  pain  or  pleasure.  When  Emich 
found  himself  backed  by  so  many  of  his  band,  he 
thought  less  of  the  apprehended  mine,  and  he  turned 
to  question  the  Monk,  with  more  of  the  calmness 
that  became  his  condition. 

"Thou  wouldst  have  the  followers  of  Harten- 
burg,  Father,"  he  said,  ironically,  "and  thou  seest 
how  readily  they  come !" 

"  I  would  that  all  who  have  listened  to  schismatics 


THE  HEIDF:NMAUER. 

—all  who  refuse  honor  to  the  holy  Church— all  who 
deny  Rome— and  all  that  believe  themselves  on 
earth  freed  from  the  agency  of  Heaven,  now  stood 
before  me  !"  answered  the  Benedictine,  examining 
the  group  of  heads  that  clustered  among  the  stalls, 
with  the  bright  but  steady  eye  of  one  engrossed 
\vith  the  consciousness  of  his  force.  "  Thou  art  in 
hundreds,  Count  Leiningen— would  it  were  God  s 
pleasure  that  it  had  been  in  millions !" 

« We  are  of  sufficient  strength  for  our  object, 

Monk." 

« That  remaineth  to  be  seen.  Now,  listen 
voice  from  above!— I  speak  to  you,  unhallowed 
ministers  of  the  will  of  this  ambitious  Baron— to 
you,  misguided  and  ignorant  tools  of  a  scheme 
that  hath  been  plotted  of  evil,  and  hath  been  brought 
forth  from  the  prolific  brain  of  the  restless  Father 
of  Sin.  Ye  have  come  at  the  heels  of  your  lord, 
vainly  rejoicing  in  a  visible  but  impotent  power- 
impiously  craving  the  profits  of  your  unholy  enter 
prise,  and  forgetting  God  !"— 

«  By  the  mass,  priest !"  interrupted  Emicn ;  "thou 
fcast  once  already  given  us  a  sermon  to  day,  and 
time  presseth.  If  thou  hast  an  enemy  to  present, 
bring  him  forth ;  but  we  tire  of  these  ehurchly 
offices." 

"Thou  hast  had  thy  moment  of  wanton  wm, 
abandoned  Emich,  and  now  cometh  the  judgment 

seest  thou  this  box  of  precious  relics ! — dost  thou 

forget  that  Limburg  is  rich  in  these  holy  remains, 
and  that  their  virtues  are  yet  untried  ?— Woe  to 
him  who  scoffeth  at  their  character,  and  despiseth 
their  power !" 

"  Stay  thy  hand,  Johan !"  cried  the  Count  hastily 
when  he  saw  that  the  Monk  was  about  to  expose 
some  of  those  well-known  vestiges  of  mortality  to 
which  the  Church  of  Rome  then,  as  now,  attributed 


320  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

miraculous  interventions;  "this  is  no  moment  fby 
fooleries !" 

"Callest  thou  this  sacred  office  by  so  profane  a 
name ! — abide  the  issue,  foul- mouthed  asperser  of 
our  holy  authority,  and  triumph  if  thou  canst !" 

The  Count  was  much  disturbed,  for  his  reason 
had  far  less  influence  now  in  supporting  him  than 
his  ambition.  The  party  in  the  reary  too,  began  to 
waver,  for  opinion-  was  not  then  sufficiently  con 
firmed  to  render  the  mass  indifferent  to  such  an  ex 
posure  of  clerical  power.  Whatever  may  be  the 
difference  that  exists  between  Christian  sects  con 
cerning  the  validity  of  modern  miracles,  all  will 
allow,  that,  when  trained  in  the  belief  of  their  real 
ity,  the  mind  is  less  prepared  to  resist  their  influence 
than  that  of  any  other  engine  by  which  it  can  be 
assailed,  since  it  is  placing  the  impotency  of  man 
in  direct  and  obvious  collision  with  the  power  of 
the  Deity.  Before  such  an  exhibition  of  force,  na 
ture  offers  no  means  of  resistance;  and  the  myste» 
rious  and  unseen  agency  by  which  the  wonder  is 
produced,  enlists  in  its  interest  both  the  imagination 
and  that  innate  dread  of  omnipotence  which  all  pos 
sess. 

"  'Twere  well  this  matter  went  no  farther !"  said 
Emich,  uneasily  whispering  his  principal  agents. 

."Nay,  my  Lord  Count,"  answered  Berchthold, 
calmly,  "  it  may  be  good  to  know  the  right  of  the 
matter.  If  we  are  not  of  Heaven's  side  in  this  af 
fair,  let  it  be  shown  in  our  own  behalf ;  and  if  the 
Benedictines  are  no  better  than  pretenders,  our  con 
sciences  will  be  all  the  easier." 

"  Thou  art  presuming,  boy — none  know  the  end 
of  this! — Herr  Heinrich,  thou  art  silent?" 

"  What  would  you  have,  noble  Emich,  of  a  pool 
Burgomaster?  I  wilt  own,  I  think  it  were  more  for 
the  advantage  of  Deurekheim  that  the  matter  w.enJ 
no  farther." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER 

"Thou  nearest,  Benedictine!"  said  the  Count, 
aying  the  point  of  his  sheathed  sword  on  the  richly 
chased  and  much  reverenced  box  that  the  Monk  had 
already  unlocked, — "  this  must  stop  here  !" 

"  Take  away  the  weapon,  Emich  of  Leiningen,' 
aid  father  Johan,  with  dignity. 

The  Count  obeyed,  though  he  scarce  knew  why 

"  This  is  a  fearful  instant  for  the  unbeliever,"  con 
tinued  the  Monk;  "the  moment  is  near  when  our 
altars  shall  be  avenged — nay,  recoil  not,  bold  Baron 
—remain  to  the  end,  ye  dissolute  and  forsaken  fol 
lowers  of  the  wicked,  for  in  vain  ye  hope  to  flee 
the  judgment." 

There  was  so  much  of  tranquil  enthusiasm  in  the 
air  and  faith  of  Father  Johan,  that,  spite  of  a  general 
wish  to  be  at  a  distance  from  the  relics,  curiosity, 
and  the  inherent  principle  of  religious  awe,  held  each 
man  spell-bound;  though  every  heart  beat  quicker 
as  the  Monk  proceeded,  calmly,  and  with  a  reveren 
tial  mien,  to  expose  the  bones  of  saints,  the  remnants 
of  mantles,  the  reputed  nails  of  the  true  cross,  and 
morsels  of  its  wood,  with  divers  other  similar  me 
morials  of  holy  events,  and  of  sainted  martyrs.  Not 
a  foot  had  power  to  retire.  When  all  were  laid,  in 
solemn  silence,  on  the  bright  and  glowing  shrine, 
Father  Johan,  crossing  himself,  again  turned  to  the 
crowd. 

"  What  may  be  Heaven's  purpose  in  this  strait,  I 
know  not,"  he  said ;  "  but  withered  be  the  hand,  and 
for  ever  accursed  the  soul,  of  him  who  dareth  vio 
lence  to  these  holy  vestiges  of  Christian  faith  !" 

Uttering  these  ominous  words,  the  Benedictine 
faced  the  crucifix,  and  kneeled  in  silent  prayer.  The 
minute  that  followed  was  one  of  fearful  portent  to 
he  cause  of  the  invaders.  Eye  sought  eye  in  doubt, 
and  one  regarded  the  fretted  vault,  another  gazed 
intently  at  the  speaking  image  of  Maria,  as  if  each 
expected  some  miraculous  manifestation  of  divine 


322  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

displeasure.  The  .\ssue  would  have  been  doubtful,  had 
not  the  cherry-wood  trumpet  of  the  cow-herd  again, 
sounded  most  opportunely  in  his  master's  behalf.  The 
wily  knave  blew  a  well-known  and  popular  imitation 
of  the  beasts  of  his  herd,  among  the  arches  of  th 
chapel,  striking  at  the  effect  of  what  had  just  passed 
y  the  interposition  of  a  familiar  and  vulgar  idea 
The  influence  of  the  ludicrous,  at  moments  when 
the  passions  vacillate,  or  the  reason  totters,  is  too 
wrell  known  to  need  elucidation.  It  is  another  of 
those  caprices  of  humanity  that  baffle  theories,  prov 
ing  how  very  far  we  are  removed  from  being  the 
exclusively  reasoning  animal  we  are  fond  of  think 
ing  the  species. 

The  expedient  of  the  ready-witted  Gottlob  pro 
duced  its  full  effect.  The  most  ignorant  of  the  castle 
followers,  those  even  whose  dull  minds  had  been  on 
the  verge  of  an  abject  deference  to  superstition,  took 
courage  at  the  daring  of  the  cow-herd ;  and,  as  the 
least  founded  in  any  belief  are  commonly  the  most 
vociferous  in  its  support,  this  portion  of  the  band 
echoed  the  interruption  from  fifty  hoarse  throats. 
Emich  felt  like  a  man  reprieved  ;  for  under  the  dou 
ble  influence  of  his  own  distrust,  and  the  wavering 
of  his  followers,  the  Count  for  a  moment  had  fan 
cied  his  long-meditated  destruction  of  the  commu 
nity  of  Limburg  in  great  danger  of  being  frustrated. 

Encouraged  by  each  other's  cries,  the  invaders 
returned  to  their  work  laughing  at  their  own  alarm. 
The  chairs  and  confessionals  had  been  already 
heaped  in  the  great  aisle,  and  a  brand  was  thrown 
into  the  pile.  Fire  was  applied  to  the  church  wher 
ever  there  was  food  for  the  element,  and  some  of 
the  artisans  of  Deurckheim,  better  instructed  than 
their  looser  associates,  found  the  means  to  light  the 
conflagration  in  such  parts  of  the  roofs  and  the  other 
superior  stories,  as  would  insure  the  destruction  of 
the  pile.  In  the  mean  time,  all  the  exterior  edifices 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  323 

had  been  burning,  and  the  whole  hill,  to  the  eye  of 
him  who  dwelt  in  the  valley  beneath,  presented 
volumes  of  red  flame,  or  of  lurid  smoke. 

During  the  progress  of  this  scene,  Emich  paced 
the  choir,  partly  exulting  in  his  success,  and  partly 
doubting  of  its  personal  fruits.  Over  the  temporal 
consequences  he  had  well  pondered ;  but  the  motion 
less  attitude  of  Father  Johan,  the  presence  of  the 
long-reverenced  relics,  and  the  denunciations  of  the 
Church,  still  had  their  terrors  for  one  whose  mind 
had  few  well-grounded  resources  to  sustain  it.  From 
this  state  of  uneasiness  he  was  aroused  by  the  noise 
of  the  sledge,  at  work  in  the  crypt.  Followed  by 
Heinrich  and  Berchthold,  the  Count  hastened  to  de 
scend  to  this  place,  which  it  will  be  remembered 
contained  the  tombs  and  the  chapel  of  his  race. 
Here,  as  above,  all  was  in  bright  light,  and  all  was 
in  confusion.  Most  of  the  princely  and  noble  tombs 
had  already  undergone  mutilation,  and  no  chapel 
had  been  respected.  Before  that  of  Hartenburg, 
however,  Albrecht  of  Viederbach  stood,  with  folded 
arms  and  a  thoughtful  eye.  The  cloak  which,  du 
ring  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  had  served  to 
conceal  his  person,  was  now  neglected,  and  he 
seemed  to  forget  the  prudence  of  disguise,  in  deep 
contemplation. 

"We  have  at  length  got  to  the  monuments  of 
our  fathers,  cousin ;"  said  the  Count,  joining  him. 

"  To  their  very  bones,  nob.le  Emich  !" 

"The  worthy  knights  have  long  slept  in  evil  com 
pany;  there  shall  be  further  rest  for  them  in  the 
chapel  of  Hartenburg." 

"  I  hope  it  may  be  found,  Herr  Graf,  that  this  ad 
venture  is  lawful !" 

"  How ! — dost  thou  doubt,  with  the  work  so  neai 
accomplished  ?" 

"  By  the  mass!  a. soldier  of  Rhodes  might  better 
be  fighting  your  turbaned  infidel,  than  awakening 


324  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  nobles  of  his  own  house  from  so  long  a  sleep,  a* 
so  short  a  summons  !" 

"  Thou  canst  retire  into  my  hold,  Herr  Albrecht 
if  thy  arm  is  wearied,"  said  Emich,.  coldly;  "not  a 
malediction  can  reach  thee  there." 

"  That  would  be  poor  requital  for  a  free  hospital 
ity,  cousin ;  the  travelling  knight  is  the  ally  of  tha 
last  friend,  even  though  there  be  some  wrong  to- 
general  duties.  But  we  cavaliers  of  the  island  well 
know,  that  a  retreat,  to  be  honorable,  must  be  or 
derly,  and  not  out  of  season.  I  am  with  thee, 
Emich,  for  the  hour,  and  so  no  more  parley.  This 
was  the  image  of  the  good  Bishop  of  our  line?" 

"He  had  some  such  reverend  office,  I  do  believe; 
but  speak  of  him  as  thou  wilt,  none  can  say  he  was 
a  Benedictine." 

"  It  had  been  better,  cousin,  since  this  church  is 
to  be  sacked,  that  our  predecessors  had  found  other 
consecrated  ground  for  their  dust.  Well,  we  sworn 
soldiers  pass  uneven  lives !  It  is  now  some  twelve 
months  or  so,  that  Mke  a  loyal  and  professed  Rho- 
dian,  I  stood  to  my  knees  in  water,  making  good  a 
trench  against  your  believer  in  Houris  and  your 
unbeliever  in  Christ ;  and  now,  forsooth,  I  am  here 
as  a  spectator  (none  call  me  more  with  honesty), 
while  a  Christian  altar  is  overturned,  and  a  brother 
hood  of  shaven  monks  are  sent  adrift  upon  earth, 
like  so  many  disbanded  mercenaries !" 

"  By  the  Three  Kings !  my  cousin,  thou  makest 
a  fit  comparison;  for  like  disbanded  mercenaries 
have  they  gone  forth  to  prey  upon  society  in  a 
new  shape. — Spare  the  angel  of  my  grandfather, 
good  smith,"  cried  Emich,  interrupting  himself;  "if 
there  be  any  virtue  in  the  image,  ''tis  for  the  benefit 
of  our  house !" 

Dietrich  stayed  his  uplifted  arm,  and  directed  the 
intended  blow  at  another  object.  The  marble  flew 
in  vast  fragments  at  each  collision  with  his  sledge. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  325 

and  the  leaders  of  the  party  soon  found  it  necessary 
to  retire,  to  avoid  the  random  efforts  of  the  heated 
crowd. 

There  no  longer  remained  a  doubt  of  the  fate 
of  these  long-known  and  much-celebrated  conven 
tual  buildings.  Tomb  fell  after  tomb,  monuments 
were  defaced,  altars  were  overturned,  chapels  sacked, 
and  every  object  that  was  in  the  least  likely  to  re 
sist  the  action  of  fire,  received  such  indelible  injuries 
as  rendered  its  restoration  difficult  or  impossible. 

During  the  continuance  of  their  efforts,  the  con 
flagration  had  advanced,  as  the  fierce  element  that 
had  been  called  in  to  assist  the  destroyers  is  known 
to  do  its  work.  Most  of  the  dormitories,  kitchens, 
and  outer  buildings  were  consumed,  so  far  as  the 
materials  allowed,  beyond  redress;  and  it  became 
apparent  that  the  great  church  and  its  dependencies 
would  soon  be  untenable. 

Emich  and  his  companions  were  still  in  the  crypt, 
when  a  cry  reached  them,  admonishing  all  within 
hearing  to  retreat,  lest  they  become  victims  to  the 
flames.  Berchthold  and  the  smith  drove  before  them 
the  crowd  from  the  crypt,  and  there  was  a  general 
rush  to  gain  the  outer  door. 

When  the  interior  of  the  church  was  clear,  the 
Count  and  his  followers  paused  in  the  court,  con 
templating  the  scene,  with  curious  eyes,  like  men 
satisfied  with  their  work.    No  sooner  was  the  com 
mon  attention  directed  back  towards  the  spot  from 
whence  they  had  just  escaped,  than  a  general  cry, 
that  partook  equally  of  wonder  and  horror,  broke 
from  the  crowd.    As  the  doors  were  all  thrown  wide, 
nd  every  cranny  of  the  building  was  illuminated 
y  the  fierce  light  of  the  flames  that  were  raging  in 
he  roofs,  the  choir  was  nearly  as  visible  to  those 
without,  as  if  it  stood  exposed  to  the  rays  of  a  noon 
day  sun.    Father  Johan  was  still  kneeling  before  the 
altar. 

2E 


326  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

In  obedience  to  the  commands  of  Emich,  th<* 
sacred  shrine  had  been  stript  of  its  precious  vessels, 
but  none  had  presumed  to  touch  a  relic.  On  these 
long-venerated  memorials,  the  Benedictine  kept  his 
eyes  riveted,  in  the  firm  conviction  that,  sooner  or 
ater,  the  power  of  God  would  be  made  manifest  in 
defence  of  his  violated  temple. 

"  The  monk !  the  monk  !?>  exclaimed  fifty  eager 
voices. 

"  I  would  fain  save  the  fanatic  !"  said  Emich,  with 
great  and  generous  concern. 

"  He  may  listen  to  one  who  beareth  this  holy  em 
blem,"  cried  the  Knight  of  Rhodes,  releasing  his 
cross  from  the  doublet  in  which  it  had  been  con 
cealed.  "Will  any  corne  with  me,  to  the  rescue  of 
this  mad  Benedictine?" 

There  was  as  much  of  repentant  atonement  in 
the  offer  of  Albrecht  of  Viederbach,  as  there  was 
of  humanity.  But  the  impulse  which  led  young 
Berchthold  forward,  was  purely  generous.  *  Not 
withstanding  the  imminent  peril  of  the  attempt,  they 
darted  together  into  the  building,  and  passed  swiftly 
up  the  choir.  The  heat  was  getting  to  be  oppressive, 
though  the  great  height  of  the  ceilings  still  rendered 
it  tolerable.  They  approached  the  altar,  advising 
the  monk  of  his  danger  by  their  cries. 

"  Do  ye  come  to  be  witnesses  of  Heaven's  power?" 
demanded  Father  Johan,  smiling  with  the  calm  of 
an  inveterate  enthusiast;  "or  do  ye  come,  sore- 
stricken  penitents  that  ye  have  done  this  deed  ?" 

"Away,  good  father*!"  hurriedly  answeied  Bercht 
hold  ;  "  Heaven  is  against  the  community  to-night ; 
in  another  minute,  yon  fiery  roof  will  fall." 

"  Hearest  thou  the  blasphemer,  Lord  ?  Is  it  thy 
holy  will,  that"- 

"  Listen  to  a  sworn  soldier  of  the  cross,"  inter 
rupted  Albrecht,  showing  his  Rhodian  emblem— 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

««we  are  of  one  faith,  and  we  will  now  depart  to 
gether  for  another  trial." 

"  Away !  false  servant!  and  thou,  abandoned  boy! 
— See  ve  these  sainted  relics?"— 

At  a'signal  from  the  knight,  Berchthold  seized  the 
monk  by  one  side,  while  Albrecht  did  the  sam 
thing  on  the  other,  and  he  was  yet  speaking  as  they 
bore  him  down  the  choir.  But  they  struggled  with 
one  that  a  long-encouraged  and  morbid  view  of 
life  had  rendered  mad.  Before  they  reached  the 
great  aisle,  the  fanatic  had  liberated  himself,  and, 
while  his  captors  were  recovering  breath,  he  was 
again  at  the  foot  of  the  altar.  Instead  of  kneeling, 
however,  Father  Johan  now  seized  the  most  ven 
erated  of  the  relics,  which  he  held  on  high,  audibly 
imploring  Heaven  to  hasten  the  manifestation  of  its 

"He 'is  doomed!"  said  Albrecht  of  Viederbach, 
retiring  from  the  church. 

As  the  Knight  of  Rhodes  rushed  through  the 
great  door,  a  massive  brand  fell  from  the  ceiling 
upon  the  pavement,  scattering  its  coals  like  so  many 
twinkling  stars. 

"Berchthold!  Berchthold !"  was  shouted  from  a 

hundred  throats. 

"  Come  forth,  rash  boy !"  cried  Emich,  with  a 
voice  in  which  agony  was  blended  with  the  roar  of 
the  conflagration. 

Berchthold  seemed  spell-bound.  He  gazed  wist 
fully  at  the  monk,  and  darted  back  again  towards 
the  altar.  An  awful  crashing  above,  which  resem 
bled  the  settling  of  a  mountain  of  snow  about  to 
descend  in  an  avalanche,  grated  on  the  ear.  The 
very  men  who,  so  short  a  time  before,  had  corne 
upon  the  hill  ready  and  prepared  to  slay,  now  uttered 
groans  of  horror  at  witnessing  the  jeopardy  of  their 
fellow-creatures ;  for,  whatever  we  may  be  in  mo 
ments  of  excitement,  there  are  latent  sympathies  in 


328  TIIE  HEIDENMAUER. 

human  nature,  which  too  much  use  may  deaden, 
but  which  nothing  but  death  can  finally  extinguish, 

"  Come  forth,  young  Berchthold !  come  forth,  my 
gallant  forester !"  shouted  the  voice  of  the  Count 
above  the  clamor  of  the  crowd,  as  if  rallying  his 
followers  with  a  battle-cry.  "  He  will  die  with  the 
wretched  monk ! — The  youth  is  mad  !" 

Berchthold  was  struggling  with  the  Benedictine, 
though  none  knew  what  passed  between  them.  There 
was  another  crash,  and  the  whole  pavement  began 
to  glow  with  fallen  brands.  Then  came  a  breaking 
of  rafters,  and  a  scattering  of  fire  that  denoted  the 
end.  The  interior  of  the  chapel  resembled  the  burn 
ing  shower  which  usually  closes  a  Roman  girandola, 
and  the  earth  shook  with  the  fall  of  the  massive 
structure.  There  are  horrors  on  which  few  human 
eyes  can  bear  to  dwell.  At  this  moment  nearly 
every  hand  veiled  a  face,  and  every  head  was  avert 
ed.  But  the  movement  lasted  only  an  instant.  When 
the  interior  was  again  seen,  it  appeared  a  fiery  fur 
nace.  The  altar  still  stood,  however,  and  Johan 
miraculously  kept  his  post  on  its  steps.  Berchthold 
had  disappeared.  The  gesticulations  of  the  Bene 
dictine  were  wilder  than  ever,  and  his  countenance 
was  that  of  a  man  whose  reason  had  hopelessly  de* 
parted.  He  kept  his  feet  only  for  a  moment,  bui 
withering  fell.  After  which  his  body  was  seen  tc 
curl  like  a  green  twig  that  is  seared  by  the  flames. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  329 


CHAPTEK  XXII. 

Masters,  you  ought  to  consider  with  yourse.ves." — 

Midsummer  Night's  Dream. 

THE  constant  moral  sentinel  that  God  hath  set  on 
watch  in  every  man's  breast,  but  which  acts  so  dif 
ferently  in  different  circumstances,  though,  perhaps, 
in  no  condition  of  humiliation  and  ignorance  does  it 
ever  entirely  desert  its  trust,  is  sure  to  bring  repent 
ance  with  the  sense  of  error.  It  is  vain  to  say  that 
this  innate  sentiment  of  truth,  which  we  call  con 
science,  is  the  mere  result  of  opinion  and  habit,  since 
it  is  even  more  apparent  in  the  guileless  and  un 
trained  child  than  in  the  most  practised  man,  and 
nature  has  so  plainly  set  her  mark  upon  all  its  work 
ings,  as  to  prove  its  identity  with  the  fearful  being 
that  forms  the  incorporeal  part  of  our  existence. 
Like  all  else  that  is  good,  it  may  be  weakened  and 
perverted,  or  be  otherwise  abused ;  but,  like  every 
thing  that  comes  from  the  same  high  source,  even 
amid  these  vicious  changes,  it  will  retain  traces  of 
its  divine  author.  We  look  upon  this  unwearied 
monitor  as  a  vestige  of  that  high  condition  from 
which  the  race  fell ;  and  we  hold  it  to  be  beyond 
dispute,  that  precisely  as  men  feel  and  admit  its  in 
fluence  do  they  approach,  or  recede  from,  their 
original  condition  of  innocence. 

The  destruction  of  the  Abbey  was  succeeded  by 
most  of  those  signs  which  attend  all  acts  of  violence, 
in  degrees  that  are  proportioned  to  previous  habits. 
Even  they  who  had  been  most  active  in  accomplish 
ing  this  long-meditated  blow,  began  to  tremble  for 
its  consequences ;  and  few  in  the  Palatinate  heard 
of  the  deed,  without  holding  their  breaths  like  men 
who  expected  Heaven  would  summarily  avenge  the 
sacrilege.  But  in  order  that  the  thread  of  the  nar- 
2  E  2 


330  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

rative  should  not  be  broken,  we  will  return  to  our 
incidents  in  their  proper  order,  advancing  the  time 
but  a  few  days  after  the  night  of  the  conflagration. 

The  reader  will  have  to  imagine  another  view  of 
the  Jaegerthal.  There  was  the  same  smiling  sun, 
and  the  same  beneficent  season ;  the  forest  was  as 
green  and  waving,  the  meadows  were  as  smooth  arid 
dark,  the  hill-sides  as  bright  beneath  the  play  of 
light  and  shade,  while  the  murmuring  brook  was  as 
limpid  and  swift,  as  when  first  presented  to  his  eye 
in  these  pages.  Not  a  hut  or  cottage  was  disturbed, 
either  in  the  hamlets  or  along  the  travelled  paths, 
and  the  Hold  of  Hartenburg  still  frowned  in  feudal 
power  and  baronial  state,  on  the  well-known  pass  of 
the  mountains,  gloomy,  massive,  and  dark.  But  the 
hill  of  Limburg  presented  one  of  those  sad  and  mel 
ancholy  proofs  of  the  effects  of  violence  which  are 
still  scattered  over  the  face  of  the  old  world,  like  so 
many  admonitory  beacons  of  the  scenes  through 
which  its  people  have  reached  their  present  state  of 
comparative  security; — beacons  that  should  be  as 
useful  in  communicating  lessons  for  the  future,  as 
they  are  pregnant,  with  pictures  of  the  past. 

The  outer  W7all  remained  unharmed,  with  the 
single  exception  of  the  principal  gate,  which  bore 
the  indelible  marks  of  the  smith's  sledges;  but  above 
this  barrier  the  work  of  devastation  appeared  in 
characters  not  to  be  mistaken.  Every  roof,  and 
there  had  been  fifty,  was  fallen ;  every  wall,  some 
of  which  were  already  tottering,  was  blackened  ; 
and  not  a  tower  pointed  towards  the  sky,  that  did 
not  show  marks  of  the  manner  in  which  the  flames 
nad  wreathed  around  its  slender  shaft  Here  and 
there,  a  small  thread  of  white  smoke  curled  upwards, 
losing  itself  in  the  currents  of  the  air,  resembling 
so  many  of  the  lessening  symptoms  of  a  volcano 
after  an  explosion.  A  small  crucifix,  which  popular 
rumor  said  was  wood,  but  which,  in  fact,  was 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  331 

of  painted  stone,  still  kept  its  place  on  a  gable*  of 
the  ruined  church  ;  and  many  a  peasant  addressed 
to  it  his  silent  prayers,  firm  in  the  belief  that  God 
had  protected  this  image  of  his  sacrifice,  throughout 
the  terrors  of  the  memorable  night. 

In  and  about  the  castle,  there  appeared  the  usual 
evidences  of  a  distrustful  watch ; — such  ward  as  is 
kept  by  him  who  feels  that  he  has  justly  become  ob 
noxious  to  the  hand  of  the  constituted  powers.  The 
gates  were  closed;  the  sentinels  on  the  walls  and 
bastions  were  doubled;  and,  from  time  to  time,  signals 
were  made  that  communicated  with  look-outs,  so  sta 
tioned  on  the  hills  that  they  could  command  views 
of  the  roads  which  led  towards  the  Rhine,  beyond 
the  gorge  of  the  valley. 

The  scene  in  Deurckheim  was  different,  though 
it  also  had  some  points  of  resemblance  with  that  in 
the  hold.  There  was  the  same  apprehension  of 
danger  from  without,  the  same  watchfulness  on  the 
walls  arid  in  the  towers,  and  the  same  unusual  dis 
play  of  an  armed  force.  But  in  a  town  of  this 
description,  it  was  not  easy  to  imitate  the  gloomy 
reserve  of  baronial  state.  The  citizens  groupe*d 
together  in  the  streets,  the  women  gossipped  as  in 
all  sudden  and  strong  cases  of  excitement,  and  even 
the  children  appeared  to  reflect  the  uneasiness  and 
indecision  of  their  parents ;  for  as  the  hand  of  au 
thority  relaxed  in  their  seniors,  most  wandered  idly 
and  vaguely  among  the  men,  listening  to  catch  such 
loose  expressions  as  might  enlighten  their  growing 
understandings.  The  shops  were  opened,  as  usual, 
but  many  stopped  to  discourse  at  the  doors,  while 
few  entered  ;  and  most  of  the  artisans  wrasted  theii 
time  in  speculations  on  the  consequence  of  the  hardy 
step  of  their  superiors. 

In  the  mean  time  there  was  a  council  held  in  the 
towrn-hall.  Here  were  assembled  all  who  laid  claim 
to  civic  authority  in  Deurckheim,  with  some  who 


332  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

appeared  under  the  claim  of  their  services  in  the 
late  assault  upon  the  monks.  A  few  of  the  anxious 
wives  of  the  burghers,  also,  were  seen  collected  in 
the  more  public  rooms  of  the  building ;  for  domestic 
influence  was  neither  covert  nor  trifling  in  that  uxo 
rious  and  simple  community.  We  shall  resume  the 
narrative  within  the  walls  of  this  municipal  edifice. 
The  Burgomaster  and  other  chief  men  were  much 
moved,  by  the  vague  apprehension  which  was  the 
consequence  of  their  hazardous  experiment.  Some 
were  bold  in  the  audacity  of  success ;  some  doubled 
merely  because  the  destruction  of  the  brotherhood 
seemed  too  great  a  good,  to  come  unmixed  with 
evil ;  some  held  their  opinions  in  suspense,  waiting 
for  events  to  give  a  value  to  their  predictions,  and 
others  shook  their  heads  in  a  manner  that  would 
appear  to  imply  a  secret  knowledge  of  consequences 
that  were  not  apparent  to  vulgar  faculties.  The  lat 
ter  class  was  more  remarkable  for  its  pretension  to 
exclusive  merit  than  for  numbers,  and  would  have 
been  equally  prompt  to  exaggerate  the  advantages 
of  the  recent  measure,  had  the  public  pulse  just  then 
been  beating  on  the  access.  But  the  public  pulse 
was  on  the  decline,  and,  as  we  have  said,  seeing  and 
understanding  all  the  advantages  that  were  to  be 
hoped  from  the  defeat  of  Bonifacius,  uncertainty 
quickened  most  imaginations  in  a  manner  to  conjure 
disagreeable  pictures  of  the  future.  Even  Heinrich 
who  wanted  for  neither  moral  nor  physical  reso 
lution,  was  disturbed  at  his  own  victory,  though  if 
questioned  he  could  scarcely  have  told  the  reason 
why.  This  uneasiness  was  heightened  by  the  fact, 
that  most  of  his  compeers  regarded  him  as  the  man, 
on  whom  the  weight  of  the  Church's  and  of  the 
Elector's  displeasure  was  most  likely  to  fall,  thougfc 
it  is  more  than  probable  that  his  situation  would  have 
been  far  less  prominent,  had  there  been  no  question 
of  any  results  but  such  as  were  agreeable. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  333 

This  sort  of  distinction,  so  isolated  in  defeat,  and 
so  social  in  prosperity,  is  a  species  of  revenge  thai 
society  is  very  apt  to* take  of  all  who  pretend  to  be 
wiser  or  better  than  itself,  by  presuming  to  point  the 
way  in  cases  of  doubtful  expediency,  or  in  presum 
ing  to  lead  the  way  in  those  that  require  decision 
and  nerve.  He  alone  is  certain  of  an  unenvied 
reputation  who,  in  preceding  the  main  body  in  the 
great  march  of  events,  leaves  no  very  sensible  space 
between  him  and  his  fellows;  while  he  alone  can 
hope  for  impunity,  who  keeps  so  near  his  backers 
as  to  be  able  to  confound  himself  in  the  general 
mass,  when  singularity  brings  comment  and  censure. 

Heinrich  fully  felt  the  awkwardness  of  his  position, 
and,  just  then,  he  would  gladly  have  compounded 
for  less  of  the  fame  acquired  by  the  bold  manner  in 
which  he  had  led  the  attack,  in  order  to  be  rid  of 
some  of  his  anxiety.  Still  a  species  of  warlike  in 
stinct  led  him  to  put  the  best  face  on  the  affair,  and 
when  he  addressed  his  colleagues,  it  was  with  cheer 
fulness  in  his  tones,  however  little  there  might  have 
been  of  that  desirable  feeling  in  his  heart. 

"  Well,  brethren,"  he  said,  looking  around  at  the 
Knot  of  well-known  faces,  which  surrounded  him  in 
the  gravity  of  civic  authority,  "  this  weighty  matter 
is,  at  length,  happily,  and,  as  it  has  been  effected 
without  bloodshed,  I  may  say,  peaceably  over!  The 
Benedictines  are  departed,  and  though  the  excellent 
Abbot  hath  taken  post  in  a  neighboring  abbey,  whence 
he  sends  forth  brave  words  to  frighten  those  who  are 
unused  to  more  dangerous  missiles,  it  will  be  long 
before  we  shall  again  hear  Limburg  bell  tolling  in 
the  Jaergerthal." 

"  For  that  I  can  swear,"  said  the  smith,  who  was 
among  the  inferiors  that  crowded  a  corner  of  the 
hall,  occupying  as  little  space  as  possible,  in  defer 
ence  to  their  head-men ;  —  "  my  own  sledge  hath 
helped  to  put  the  fine-tuned  instrument  out  of  tune  I" 


334  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  We  are  now  met  to  hear  further  propositions 
from  the  monks ;  but  as  the  hour  set  for  the  arrival 
of  their  agent  is  not  yet  come,  we  can  lighten  the 
moments  by  such  discourse  as  the  circumstances 
may  seem  to  require.  Hast  any  thing  to  urge  that 
will  ease  the  minds  of  the  timid,  brother  Wolfgang* 
— if  so,  of  God's  name,  give  it  utterance,  that  w 
may  know  the  worst  at  once." 

The  affinity  between  Wolfgang  and  Heinrich  ex 
isted  altogether  in  their  civic  relations.  The  former, 
although  he  coveted  the  anticipated  advantages  that 
were  to  result  from  the  downfall  of  Limburg,  had  a 
constitutional  deference  for  all  superior  power,  and 
was  unable  to  enjoy  the  triumph,  without  the  bitter 
est  misgivings  concerning  the  displeasure  of  the 
Elector  and  Rome.  He  was  aged,  too, — a  fact  that 
served  to  heighten  the  tremor  of  tones,  that,  by  a 
very  general  convention,  are  termed  raven. 

"  It  is  wise  to  call  upon  the  experienced  and  wise, 
for  counsel,  in  pressing  straits,"  returned  the  old 
burgher,  "  for  years  teach  the  folly  of  every  thing 
human,  inclining  us  to  look  at  the  world  with  mode 
ration,  and  with  less  love  for  ourselves,  and  our  in 
terests — " 

"  Brother  Wolfgang,  thou  art  not  yet  yielding  so 
fast  as  thou  wouldest  have  us  believe,"  interrupted 
Heinrich,  who  particularly  disliked  any  discouraging 
views  of  the  future.  "Thou  art  but  a  boy — the 
difference  between  us  cannot  be  greater  than  some 
five-and-twenty  years." 

"  Not  that,  not  that ; — I  count  but  three-and-sev- 
enty,  and  thou  mayest  fairly  number  fifty-and-five." 

"  Thou  heapest  honors  on  me  I  little  deserve,  friend 
Wolfgang.  I  shall  not  number  the  days  thou  namest 
these  many  months,  and  time  marches  fast  enough 
without  any  fillips  from  us  to  help  him.  If  I  have 
yet  seen  more  than  fifty-four,  may  my  fathers  arise 


THE  HE1DEJNMALER  335 

from  their  graves  to  claim  the  little  they  left  behind, 
when  they  took  leave  of  earth  !" 

"  Words  will  make  neither  young,  but  I  could 
wish  we  had  found  means  to  lay  this  unquiet  spirit 
of  Limburg,  without  so  much  violence  and  danger 
to  ourselves.  I  am  old,  and  have  little  interest  in 
life,  except  to  see  those  who  will  come  after  me 
happy  and  peaceful.  Thou  knowest  that  I  have 
neither  chick  nor  child,  neighbor  Heinrich,  and  the 
heart  of  such  a  man  can  only  beat  for  all.  'T  were, 
indeed,  folly  in  me  to  think  of  much  else,  than  of 
that  great  future  which  lies  before  us." 

"  Sapperment !"  exclaimed  the  smith,  who  was 
disposed  to  presume  a  little  on  the  spirit  he  had 
shown  in  the  late  attack. — "Worshipful  Burgomas 
ter,  were  Master  Wolfgang  to  deal  out  some  of  his 
stores  a  little  freely  to  the  Benedictines,  the  whole 
affair  might  be  quietly  settled,  and  Deurckheim 
would  be  a  great  gainer.  I  warrant  you  now,  that. 
Bonifacius  would  be  glad  to  receive  a  well-told  sum 
in  gold,  without  question  or  farther  account,  in  lieu 
of  his  lodgings  and  fare  in  Limburg,  of  which  he 
was  only  a  life-tenant  at  best.  At  least,  such  had 
been  rny  humor,  an'  it  had  pleased  Heaven  to  have 
made  me  a  Benedictine,  and  Bonifacius  a  smith." 

"  And  where  is  this  gold  to  be  had,  bold-speaking 
artisan  ?"  demanded  the  aged  burgher,  severely. 

"  Where  but  from  your  untouched  stores,  vene 
rable  Wolfgang,"  answered  the  single-minded  smith; 
"  thou  art  old,  father,  and,  as  thou  truly  sayest,  with 
out  offspring ;  the  hold  of  life  is  getting  k'ose,  and  to 
deal  with  thee  in  frankness,  I  see  no  manner  in  which 
the  evil  may  be  so  readily  turned  from  our  town." 

"  Peace,  senseless  talker  !  dost  think  thy  betters 
have  no  other  employment  for  their  goods  than  to 
cast  them  to  the  winds,  as  thy  sparks  scatter  at  the 
stroke  of  the  sledge?  The  little  I  have  hath  been  gain 
ed  with  sore  toil  and  much  saving,  and  it  may  yet  be 


336  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

needed  to  keep  wane  and  beggary  from  my  door. 
Nay,  nay,  when  we  are  young  we  think  the  dirt 
may  be  turned  to  gold ;  hot  blood  and  lusty  limbs 
cause  us  to  believe  man  equal  to  any  labor,  ay,  even 
to  living  without  food ;  but  when  experience  and 
tribulation  have  taught  us  truth,  we  come  to  know 
neighbors,  the  value  of  pence.  I  am  of  a  long 
living  stock,  Heaven  help  us  !  and  there  is  greate 
likelihood  of  my  yet  becoming  a  charge  to  the  town 
than  of  my  ever  doing  a  tithe  of  that,  this  heedless 
smith  hath  hinted." 

"  By  St.  Benedict,  master  !  I  hinted  naught :  wha! 
I  said  was  in  plain  words,  and  it  is  this,  that  one  so 
venerable  for  his  years,  and  so  respected  for  his 
means,  might  do  great  good  in  this  strait !  Such 
an  act  would  sweeten  the  few  days  thou  yet  hast." 

"  Get  thee  away,  fellow;  thou  talkest  of  death  an' 
it  were  a  joke.  Do  not  the  young  go  to  their  graves 
as  well  as  the  old,  and  are  there  not  instances  of 
thousands  that  have  outlived  their  means  ?  No,  I 
much  fear  that  this  matter  will  not  be  appeased 
without  mulcting  the  artisans  in  heavy  sums; — 
but  happily,  most  that  belong  to  the  crafts  are  young 
and  able  to  pay !" 

The  reply  of  the  smith,  who  was  getting  warm 
in  a  dispute  in  which  he  believed  all  the  merit  was 
on  his  own  side,  was  cut  short  by  a  movement 
among  the  populace,  who  crowded  the  outer  door 
of  the  town-house ;  the  burghers  seemed  uneasy,  as 
if  they  saw  a  crisis  was  near,  and  then  a  beadle 
announced  the  arrival  of  a  messenger  from  the 
routed  community  of  Limburg.  The  civic  au 
thorities  of  Deurckheim,  although  assembled  ex 
pressly  with  the  expectation  of  such  a  visit,  were, 
like  all  men  of  but  indifferently  regulated  minds, 
taken  by  surprise  at  the  moment.  Nothing  was  di 
gested,  no  plan  of  operations  had  been  proposed 
and,  although  all  had  dreamed  for  several  nights  01 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  337 

the  very  subject  before  them,  not  one  of  them  all 
had  thought  upon  it  Still  it  was  now  necessary  to 
act,  and  after  a  little  bustle,  which  had  no  other  ob 
ject  than  an  idle  attempt  to  impose  upon  the  senses 
of  the  messenger,  by  a  senseless  parade,  orders 
were  given  that  the  latter  should  be  admitted. 

The  agent  of  the  monks  was  himself  a  Benedic 
tine.  He  entered  the  hall,  attended  only  by  the 
city-guard  who  had  received  him  at  the  gate,  with 
his  cowl  so  far  drawn  upon  his  head  as  to  conceal 
the  features.  There  was  a  moment  of  curiosity, 
and  the  name  of  "  Father  Siegfried"  was  whispered 
from  one  to  another,  as  each  judged  of  the  man  by 
the  exterior. 

"Uncover,  of  Heaven's  mercy!  Father,"  said 
Heinrich,  "  and  seat  thyself  as  freely  in  the  town- 
hall  of  Deurckheim,  as  if  thou  wert  at  thine  ease  in 
the  ancient  cloisters  of  Limburg.  We  are  lions 
in  the  attack,  but  harmless  as  thy  marble  cherubs, 
when  there  is  not  occasion  for  your  true  manly  quali 
ties;  so  take  thy  seat,  of  God's  name !  and  be  of  good 
cheer; — none  will  harm  thee." 

The  voice  of  the  Burgomaster  lost  its  confidence 
as  he  concluded.  The  Benedictine  was  calmly  re 
moving  the  cowl;  and  when  the  cloth  fell,  it  exposed 
the  respected  features  of  Father  Arnolph. 

"  He  that  comes  in  the  service  of  him  I  call  mas 
ter,  needeth  not  this  assurance,"  answered  the  monk; 
"still  I  rejoice  to  find  ye  in  this  mood,  and  not  bent 
on  maintaining  an  original  error,  by  further  out 
rages.  It  is  never  too  late  to  see  our  faults,  nor  yet 
to  repair  them." 

"I  cry  thy  mercy,  Holy  Prior!  we  had  taken 
thee  for  a  very  different  member  of  the  fraternity, 
and  thou  art  not  the  less  welcome  for  being  him 
thou  art." 

Heinrich  arose  respectfully,  and  his  example  was 
followed  by  all  present.    The  Prior  seemed  pleased 
2  F 


338  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

and  a  glow,  like  that  which  a  benevolent  hope  cre 
ates,  passed  athwart  his  countenance.  With  per 
fect  simplicity  he  took  the  offered  stool,  as  the  least 
obtrusive  manner  of  inducing  the  burghers  to  re 
sume  their  seats.  The  experiment  produced  the 
effect  he  intended. 

"  I  should  pretend  to  an  indifference  I  do  not  feel, 
were  I  to  say,  Heinrich  Frey,  that  I  come  among 
you,  men  to  whom  I  have  often  administered  the 
rites  of  the  church  during  long  and  watchful  years, 
without  the  wish  to  find  that  my  ministrations  are 
remembered." 

"  If  there  dwelleth  knave  in  Deurckheim  whose 
heart  hath  not  been  touched  by  thy  good  works, 
Father,  the  hound  is  without  bowels,  and  unfit  to 
live  among  honest  people." 

"  Most  true  !"  exclaimed  the  smith,  in  his  audible 
by-play.  "  The  Burgomaster  doth  us  all  justice  !  I 
never  struck  spark  from  iron,  more  freely  than  I  will 
render  respect  to  the  most  reverend  Prior.  His 
prayers  are  like  tried  steel,  and  next  to  those  of  him 
of  the  hermitage  are  in  most  esteem  among  us. 
Fill  me  an  abbey  with  such  men,  and  for  one,  I 
shall  be  ready  to  trust  all  our  salvation  to  their 

fodliness,  without  thought  or  concern  for  ourselves, 
apperment !  could  such  a  community  be  found,  il 
would  be  a  great  relief  to  the  laymen,  and  more 
particularly  to  your  artisan,  who  might  turn  all 
his  thoughts  to  his  craft,  with  the  certainty  of  being 
watched  by  men  capable  of  setting  the  quickest- 
witted  devil  at  defiance  !" 

Arnolph  listened  to  this  digression  with  patience, 
and  he  acknowledged  the  courtesy  and  friendliness 
of  his  reception,  by  a  slow  inclination  of  the  head. 
He  was  too  much  accustomed  to  hear  these  tempo 
ral  applications  of  the  spiritual  interests  of  which 
he  was  a  minister,  to  be  surprised  at  anything;  and 
he  was  too  meek  on  the  subject  of  his  own  deserv- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  339 

ing,  to  despise  any  because  they  were  weaker  than 
himself.  The  Christian  religion  seems  to  be  divided 
into  two  great  classes  of  worshippers ;  those  who 
think  its  consolations  are  most  palpable  in  their 
direct  and  worldly  form,  and  those  whose  aspira 
tions  are  so  spiritualized,  and  whose  thoughts  are 
so  sublimated,  as  to  consider  it  a  metaphysical  the 
ory,  in  which  the  principal  object  is  to  preserve  the 
logical  harmony.  For  ourselves,  we  believe  it  to 
be  a  dispensation  from  God,  to  those  of  his  creatures 
who  are  fearfully  composed  of  the  material  and 
immaterial,  and  that  so  far  as  it  is  connected  with 
our  probation  here,  it  is  never  to  be  considered  as 
entirely  distinct  from  one  or  the  other  of  the  great 
attributes  of  our  nature.  It  is  evident  that  such 
were  not  the  views  of  the  honest  smith;  and  it  is 
probable,  had  the  matter  been  thoroughly  sifted,  it 
would  have  been  found  that,  as  respects  Deurck 
heim,  he  was  altogether  of  the  popular  party. 

"  Thou  comest,  Father,  like  the  dove  to  the  ark, 
the  bearer  of  the  olive-branch,"  resumed  Heinrich  ; 
4  though  for  our  northern  regions  a  leaf  of  the  oak 
would  more  likely  have  been  the  emblem,  had  Ara 
rat  been  one  of  these  well-wooded  hills  of  ours." 

I  come  to  offer  the  conditions  of  our  brother 
hood,  and  to  endeavor  to  persuade  the  misguided  in 
Deurckheim  to  accept  them.  The  holy  abbots,  with 
the  right  reverend  fathers  in  God,  the  Bishops  of 
Spires  and  Worms,  now  assembled  in  the  latter  city, 
have  permitted  me  to  be  the  bearer  of  their  terms, 
an  office  I  have  sought,  lest  another  should  forget 
to  entreat  and  influence,  in  the  desire  to  menace." 

"  Gott  bewahre !  thou  hast  done  well,  as  is  thy 
wont,  excellent  Arnolph!  Threats  are  about  as  use 
ful  with  Deurckheim,  as  the  holy  water  is  in  our 
rhenish,  both  being  well  enough  in  their  places ;  but 
he  that  cannot  be  driven  must  be  led,  and  liquor 
that  is  right  good  in  itself  needeth  no  flavor  from 


340  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  church.  As  for  this  old  misunderstanding  be- 
tween  Limburg  of  the  one  side,  and  the  noble 
Count  of  Hartenburg  with  our  unworthy  town  of 
the  other,  the  matter  may  be  said  to  be  now  of 
easy  adjustment,  since  the  late  events  have  cleared 
it  of  its  greatest  difficulty  ;  and  so,  from  my  heart, 
I  wish  thee  joy  of  thy  mission,  and  felicitate  the 
town  that  it  hath  to  treat  with  one  so  skilful  and  so 
reasonable.  Thou  wilt  find  us  in  a  friendly  humor, 
and  ready  to  meet  thee  half-way;  for  I  know  not 
the  man  in  Deurckheim  that  desireth  to  push  the 
controversy  a  foot  further,  or  who  is  not  at  heart 
content" 

"  No,  that  would  be  out  of  reason  and  charity," 
said  the  smith,  speaking  again  among  the  auditors, 
"  We  ought  to  show  these  Benedictines  an  exam 
ple  of  moderation,  neighbors ;  and  therefore  for 
one,  though  no  better  than  a  poor  artisan  that  gain- 
eth  his  bread  by  blows  on  the  anvil,  do  I  agree  with 
the  worshipful  Heinrich,  and  say,  of  God's  name  ! 
let  us  be  reasonable  in  our  demands,  and  be  content 
with  as  little  as  may  be,  in  the  settlement  of  our 
dispute." 

The  Prior  listened  patiently,  as  usual,  but  a  hectic 
glowed,  for  an  instant,  on  his  cheek.  It  disappeared, 
and  the  benevolent  blue  eye  was  again  seen  shining 
amid  features  that  the  cloister  and  the  closet  had 
long  since  robbed  of  all  other  bloom.  "  Ye  know, 
burghers  of  Deurckheim,"  he  answered,  "that  in 
assailing  the  altars  of  Limburg  ye  set  a  double 
power  at  defiance; — that  of  the  Church,  as  it  is 
constituted  and  protected  on  earth,  and  that  of  God. 
My  errand,  at  this  moment,  is  to  speak  of  the  first. 
Our  Father  of  Worms  is  sorely  angered,  and  he 
has  not  failed  to  address  himself  directly  and  prompt 
ly  to  our  Father  at  Rome.  In  addition  to  this  rev 
erend  appeal,  messengers  have  been  dispatched  to 
both  the  Elector  and  Emperor,  as  well  as  to  divers 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  341 

of  the  Ecclesiastical  Princes  who  rule  on  the  banks 
of  the  Rhine.  This  is  a  fearful  array  of  power  to  be 
met  by  a  mountain  baron,  and  a  city  whose  walls 
can  be  measured  by  the  leg  in  so  short  a  time. 
But  chiefly  would  I  lay  stress  on  the  evil  that  may 
flow  from  the  displeasure  of  the  Head  of  the  Church." 

"  And  should  he  read  the  late  exploit  with  severity, 
reverend  Prior,  what  are  we  to  look  to,  as  its  fruits?" 

"  To  be  denounced  as  excluded  from  the  fold, 
and  to  be  left  to  the  wickedness  and  folly  of  your 
own  hearts.  In  a  word,  excommunication." 

"  Umph ! — this  might  prove  a  short  way  of  re 
cruiting  the  followers  of  Brother  Luther!  thou  know- 
est,  holy  Arnolph,  that  men  look  more  and  more 
closely,  every  day,  into  these  disputed  points." 

"  Would  that  they  looked  with  more  humility  and 
understanding!  If  ye  consider  the  denunciations 
and  benedictions  of  him  to  whom  has  been  confided 
the  authority  to  bless  and  to  curse,  as  of  little  weight, 
no  words  of  mine  can  heighten  their  effect ;  but  all 
among  ye  who  are  not  prepared  to  go  the  length 
that  your  Burgomaster  hath  just  hinted,  may  deem 
it  prudent  to  pause,  ere  they  incur  the  heavy  risk  of 
living  under  such  a  weight  of  Heaven's  displeasure." 

The  burghers  regarded  each  other  in  doubt,  few 
among  them  being  yet  prepared  to  push  resistance 
so  far.  Some  inwardly  trembled,  for  habit  and 
tradition  were  too  strong  for  the  new  opinions; 
some  shrewdly  weighed  the  temporal  rather  than 
the  spiritual  consequences,  and  others  ruminated  on 
the  possibility  of  enduring  the  anathema  in  so  good 
company.  There  are  thousands  that  are  willing  to 
encounter  danger  in  large  bodies,  who  shrink  from 
its  hazards  alone ;  and  perhaps  the  soldier  goes  to 
the  charge  quite  as  much  stimulated  by  the  sympa 
thy  of  association,  as  he  is  sustained  by  the  dread 
of  shame  or  the  desire  of  renown.  The  civic  coun 
sellors  of  Deurckheim  now  found  themselves  in 
2F2 


342  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

some  such  plight,  and  each  man  felt  assurance  of 
doubt,  much  as  he  happened  to  meet  with  either  of 
those  feelings  expressed  in  the  eyes  of  his  neighbor 

"Have  ye  any  less  godly  proposition  to  make?" 
asked  Heinrich,  who  perceived  that  the  moral  part 
of  his  civic  support  began  to  waver,  "  for  these  are 
points  in  which  we  are  better  skilled,  than  on  those 
that  touch  your  doctrinal  niceties." 

"  I  am  commanded  to  say,  that,  as  becomes  theii 
divine  office,  the  brotherhood  of  Limburg  is  dis 
posed  to  pardon  and  forget,  inasmuch  as  duty  will 
allow,  the  late  act  of  Deurckheim,  on  conditions 
that  may  be  named." 

"  Ay,  this  is  christian-like,  and  will  meet  with  a 
ready  return,  in  our  dispositions.  On  our  side,  too, 
holy  Prior,  there  is  every  wish  to  forget  the  past, 
and  to  look  only  to  a  quiet  and  friendly  future — • 
do  I  interpret  the  intentions  of  the  town  well,  my 
neighbors  ?" 

"  To  the  letter ! — no  clerk  could  do  it  better.'1 — 
"  Yes,  we  are  of  the  community's  mind ;  it  is  wise 
to  live  at  peace,  and  to  pardon  and  overlook;"  were 
ready  answers  to  this  appeal. 

"  Thou  hearest,  father !  a  better  mood  no  minister 
or  messenger  need  wish !  'Fore  Heaven !  we  are 
all  of  one  mind  in  this  particular;  and  I  know  not 
that  the  man  would  find  safety  in  Deurckheim,  who 
should  talk  of  aught  but  peace !" 

"  It  is  to  be  mourned,  that  ye  have  not  always 
been  of  this  humor ;  I  come  not,  however,  to  re 
proach,  but  to  reclaim ;  not  to  defy,  but  to  persuade ; 
not  to  intimidate,  but  to  convince.  Here  are  the 
written  propositions  of  the  holy  divines  by  whom  I 
am  charged  with  this  office  of  mediator,  and  I  leave 
it  for  a  time  to  your  private  consultations.  When 
ye  shall  have  well  digested  this  fit  offer,  I  will  come 
among  ye  in  peace  and  friendliness." 

The  written   proposals   were  received,  and  tha 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  343 

whole  assembly  rose  to  do  the  Prior  honor.  As  the 
latter  left  the  hall,  he  asked  permission  of  several 
of  the  burghers,  among  whom  was  Heinrich  Frey, 
to  visit  their  families,  in  the  spirit  of  Christian  guar 
dianship.  The  desired  consents  were  obtained  with- 
>ut  demur  or  doubt,  on  the  part  of  any ;  for  what- 
ver  may  be  said  or  thought  of  the  errors  of  public 
opinion,  it  is  usually  right  where  the  means  are 
possessed  of  at  all  giving  it  a  true  direction.  The 
high  estimation  in  which  Arnolph  was  held,  by  the 
mere  force  of  popular  instinct,  was  never  more 
plainly  seen  than  on  the  present  occasion,  when 
even  those  who  had  so  lately  warred  against  the 
community,  threw  open  their  doors  without  reserve ; 
though  it  was  well  known,  that  the  late  policy  of  the 
town  had  many  a  secret  enemy,  and  many  a  bitter 
commentator,  in  that  sex  which  is  sometimes  as 
slow  to  incite  to  violence  and  resistance,  as  at  others 
it  is  thoughtless  and  hasty. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

"What  well-appointed  leader  fronts  us  here  ?" 

King  Henry  IV. 

THE  missive  of  the  monks  was  written  in  Latin. 
At  that  period  few  wrote  but  the  learned,  and  every 
noble  or  town  was  obliged  to  maintain  a  scholar  to 
perform  what  are  now  the  commonest  duties  of 
intercourse.  The  clerkly  agent  of  Deurckheim  had 
been  educated  for  the  Church,  and  had  even  re 
ceived  the  tonsure;  but  some  irregularities  of  life, 
which,  as  it  would  appear,  were  not  within  the  pale 
of  clerical  privileges,  or  which  had  been  so  un 
guarded  as  to  bring  scandal  on  the  profession,  com 
pelled  him  to  give  his  destinies  a  new  direction. 
As  hapuens  with  most  men  who  have  expended 


344  THE  HEIDEJNMAUEK. 

much  time  and  labor  in  qualifying  themselves  foi 
any  particular  pursuit,  and  who  are  unexpectedly 
driven  from  its  exercise,  this  individual,  who  was 
named  Ludwig,  and  who  was  often  ironically  styled 
in  common  parlance  Father  Ludwig,  never  com*- 
pletely  succeeded  in  repairing  the  injury  done  by 
the  first  false  step  he  had  made.  His  acquirements 
procured  for  him  a  certain  amount  of  consideration 
but  as  he  was  known  to  be  somewhat  free  in  his 
manner  of  life,  and,  especially  as  schism  grew  strong 
in  Germany,  a  bold  sceptic  on  most  of  the  distinc 
tive  doctrines  of  the  Catholic  Church,  he  ever  wore 
about  his  character  some  of  that  fancied  looseness, 
which  insensibly  attaches  itself  to  all  renegades, 
whether  their  motives  be  more  or  less  corrupt.  Stili 
as  he  was  known  to  be  instructed,  the  multitude 
ascribed  more  virtue  to  his  secession  than  it  would 
have  imputed  to  the  withdrawal  from  the  fold  of 
fifty  sincere  believers ;  for  most  believed  there  were 
means  of  judging  that  belonged  to  the  initiated, 
which  did  not  i'all  to  the  lot  of  those  who  worship 
ped  in  the  outer  court.  We  have  daily  proofs  that 
this  weakness  reaches  imto  the  temporal  interests  of 
life,  and  that  opinions  are  valued  in  proportion  as 
there  is  believed  to  be  some  secret  means  of  acquir 
ing  information;  tfeoiagh  men  rarely  conceal  any 
thing  that  they  know  which  may  be  revealed,  and 
few  indeed  are  disposed  to  "  hide  their  lights  under 
a  bushel" 

Ludwig  forgot  BO  pafft  of  the  intonation  or  empha 
sis,  while  he  uttered  the  unintelligible  phrases  of  the 
monkish  missive*  His  auditors  listened  the  more 
attentively,  because  they  did  not  understand  a  syl 
lable  of  what  was  sadd ;  attention  seeming  usually 
to  be  riveted  in  an  inverse  ratio  to  the  facilities  of 
comprehension.  Perhaps  some  of  the  higher  digni 
taries  flattered  themselves,  that  their  inferiors  mighi 
be  duped  in'..o  the  belief  of  their  attainments;  a  fact 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  345 

that  could  not  fail  to  increase  their  influence,  since 
there  is  no  better  evidence  of  the  innate  aspirations 
of  our  intellectual  being,  than  the  universal  defer 
ence  that  is  paid  to  knowledge.  We  have  hazarded 
this  supposition  against  the  civic  authorities  of 
Deurckheim,  because  we  believe  it  depends  upon  a 
general  principle  of  human  ambition ;  and  because 
in  our  own  case,  we  well  remember  hearing  out  a 
sermon  of  more  than  an  hour's  duration  delivered 
in  Low  Dutch,  and  in  a  damp  church  in  Holland, 
when  not  a  word,  from  the  text  to  the  benediction, 
was  understood. 

"  Right  learnedly  worded,  and  no  doubt  of  proper 
courtesy  !"  exclaimed  Heinrich,  when  the  letter  was 
ended,  and  while  the  clerk  was  clearing  his  spec 
tacles,-  preparatory  to  the  more  vulgar  version — 
"  It  is  a  happy  strife,  neighbors,  in  which  such  lan 
guage  passes  between  the  parties  ;  for  it  proves  that 
charity  is  stronger  than  malice,  and  that  reason  is 
not  forgotten  merely  because  there  have  been 
blows!" 

"  I  have  rarely  heard  braver  words,"  answered 
a  fellow-burgher,  "  or  those  that  are  better  penned  !' 

"  Potz-tausend !"  muttered  the  smith ;  "  it  were 
almost  a  sin  to  dispossess  men  that  can  write  thus  !" 

Murmurs  of  approbation  passed  through  the 
crowd,  and  not  an  individual  was  there,  with  the 
solitary  exception  of  a  gaping  idiot  that  had  stolen 
into  the  hall,  who  did  not  affect  to  have  received 
more  or  less  pleasure  from  the  communication. 
Even  the  idiot  had  his  share  of  satisfaction,  for,  by 
the  pure  force  of  sympathy,  he  caught  gleamings 
of  a  delight  that  seemed  so  strong  and  so  general 

Ludwig  now  commenced  translating  the  letter 
into  the  harsh,  energetic,  German  of  the  Rhine. 
The  wonderful  capabilities  of  the  language  enabled 
him  to  convert  the  generalities  and  comprehensive 
terms  of  the  Latin,  with  a  minuteness  of  significa- 


346  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

tion,  which  put  the  loss  of  any  shade  of  idea  utterly 
out  of  the  question. 

What  the  monks  had  meant,  and  perhaps  even 
more,  was  laboriously,  and  with  malignant  pleasure, 
rendered ;   and  so    rendered,   as   to  give   to   each 
xpression  the  fullest  weight  and  meaning. 

We  have  no  intention  of  attempting  the  office  of 
translating  this  harsh  summons  ourselves,  but  must 
be  content  with  a  brief  summary  of  its  contents. 
The  instrument  opened  with  a  greeting  that  was  not 
unlike  those  which  were  sent,  in  the  first  ages  of 
the  present  dispensation,  from  the  apostles  to  the 
churches  of  the  east.  It  then  contained  a  short  but 
pointed  narrative  of  the  recent  events,  which  were 
qualified  in  a  way  that  the  reader  can  easily  ima 
gine  ;  it  proceeded  to  refer  to  the  spiritual  and  tem 
poral  authorities  from  which  the  brotherhood  had 
assurances  of  support ;  and  it  concluded  by  demand 
ing,  under  the  penalty  of  incurring  every  earthly 
and  heavenly  risk,  an  enormous  sum  in  gold,  as  a 
pecuniary  reparation  for  the  injury  done — a  com 
plete  and  absolute  submission  of  the  town  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  community,  even  more  than  was 
ever  before  pretended  to — a  public  and  general 
acknowledgment  of  error,  with  a  variety  of  pen 
ances  and  pilgrimages  to  be  performed  by  func 
tionaries  that  were  named — and  the  delivery  of 
Heinrich  Frey,  with  eleven  others  of  the  principal 
inhabitants,  into  the  Abbot's  hands  as  hostages,  until 
all  of  these  exactions  and  conditions  should  be  com 
pletely  and  satisfactorily  fulfilled. 

«  \Vh — e — e — e — w !"  whistled  Heinrich,  when 
Ludwig  ended,  after  a  most  provoking  prolixity, 
that  had  completely  exhausted  the  Burgomaster's 
patience.  "  Himmel !  here  is  a  victory  that  is  likely 
to  cost  us  our  means,  our  characters,  our  liberties,  our 
consciences,  and  our  ease  !  Are  the  monks  mad, 
Master  Ludwig,  or  art  thou  sporting  with  our  ere- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  347 

dulity : — Do  they  really  speak  of  hostages,  and  of 
gold  ?" 

"  Of  a  surety,  worshipful  Herr,  arid  seemingly 
with  a  right  good  will." 

"  Wilt  read  the  part  touching  the  hostages  again, 
in  the  Latin ;  thou  mayest  have  indiscreetly  over 
looked  a  conjunction  or  a  pronoun,  as  I  think  thou 
callest  these  notable  figures  of  speech," 

"  Ay,  it  were  well  to  judge  of  the  letter  by  the 
Latin,"  echoed  the  smith ;  "  one  never  knows  the 
quality  of  his  metal,  at  the  first  touch  of  the  ham 
mer." 

Ludwig  read,  a  second  time,  extracts  in  the  ori 
ginal,  and,  through  a  species  of  waggery,  by  which 
he  often  took  a  secret  and  consolatory  revenge  for 
the  indignities  he  frequently  received  from  the  igno 
rant,  and  which  served  him  as  food  of  merriment 
and  as  a  vent  to  his  confined  humors  in  occasional 
interviews  with  others  of  his  own  class,  he  gave 
with  singular  emphasis  the  terms  of  greeting,  which 
were,  as  usual,  embellished  with  phrases  of  priestly 
benediction,  as  the  part  that  especially  demanded 
the  prompt  delivery  of  Heinrich  Frey  and  his  fel 
lows  into  the  hands  of  the  Benedictines. 

"  Gott  bewahre !"  cried  the  Burgomaster,  who 
had  shifted  a  leg  each  time  the  clerk  glanced  an 
eye  at  him  over  his  spectacles — "  I  have  other  con 
cerns  than  to  sit  in  a  cell,  and  Deurckheim  would 
fare  but  badly  were  the  town  left  without  so  large 
a  share  of  its  knowledge  and  experience.  Prithee, 
Master  Ludwig,  give  us  the  kinder  language  of  these 
Benedictines ;  for  methinks  there  may  be  found 
some  words  of  peace  in  the  blessings  they  bestow. 

The  crafty  clerk  now  read,  in  the  original,  the 
strongest  of  the  denunciations,  and  the  parts  of  the 
letter  which  so  peremptorily  demanded  the  hostages. 

"  How  now,  knave  !"  said  the  hasty  Burgomaster, 
"  thou  hast  not  been  faithful  in  thy  former  readings! 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Thou  hearest,  neighbors,  I  am  named  especially 
in  their  benedictions;  for  you  must  know,  worthy 
burghers,  that  Henrieus  means  Heinrich,  and  Frey 

II  1  •  1*1  •  •*!       1 


grac 

for  their  good  wishes,  expressed  with  this  particu 
larity ;  though  the  manner  in  whkh  they  introduce 
the  hostages  is  unseemly." 

"I  thought  when  it  came  to  the  worst,"  muttered 
the  smith,  "that  Master  Heinrich  would  be  con 
sidered  with  especial  favor.  This  it  is,  brother  arti 
sans,  to  be  honored  iw  one's  town,  and  to  have  a 
name !" 

"There  sounds  a  parley!"'  interrupted  the  Bur 
gomaster.  "  Can  these  crafty  monks  have  dared 
to  trifle  with  us,  by  seeding  the  choicest  of  their 
flock  to  hold  us  in  dise-owsev  while  they  steal'  upon 
us  in  armor  ?" 

The  idea  was  evidently  unpleasant  to  most  of  the 
council,  and  to  none  more  so  than  to  the  aged  Wolf 
gang,  whose  years  woukl  se«m  to  have  given  fess 
value  to  his  personal  safety  than  to  the  rest.  Many 
quitted  the  hall,  while  those  that  remained  appeared 
to  be  detained  more  by  their  apprehensions  than  by 
their  fortitude.  Heinrich,  who  was  constitutionally 
firm,  continued  the  most  undisturbed  of  them  all, 
though  even  he  went  from  window  to  window,  like 
a  man  that  was  uneasy. 

"  If  the  godly  villains  have  done  this  treachery, 
let  them  look  to  it — we  are  not  vassals  to  be  hood 
winked  with  a  cowl !" 

"Perhaps,  worshipful  and  wise  Heinrich,"  said 
the  crafty  Ludwig,  "they  send  the  trumpet,  in  readi 
ness  to  receive  the  hostages." 

"  The  holy  magi  curse  them,  and  their  impudent 
long-winded  musician  ! — How  now,  fellow  ! — whe 
maketh  this  tan — ta — ra — ra  at  our  gate  1" 


THE  HE1DENMAUER  349 

•'  The  noble  Count  of  Hartenburg  is  at  the  valley 
side  of  the  town,  honorable  Burgomaster,  with  a 
stout  troop  of  mounted  followers,"  announced  the 
breathless  runner,  who  came  on  this  errand.  "  He 
chafes  at  the  delay,  but  as  the  order  to  keep  fast  is 
so  rigid,  the  captain  of  the  watch  dares  not  unbar 
and  unbolt  without  permission  had." 

"Bid  the  valiant  and  faithful  burgher  undo  his 
fastenings,  o'  Heaven's  name  ! — and  right  speedily. 
We  should  have  bethought  us,  excellent  neighbors, 
of  the  chances  of  this  visit,  and  had  a  care  that 
our  princely  friend  were  without  this  cause  of  com 
plaint.  But  we  should  rejoice,  too,  that  our  people 
are  so  true,  as  to  keep  their  trust  even  against 
one  so  known  and  honored.  I  warrant  ye,  neighbors, 
were  it  the  imperial  Karl  himself,  he  would  fare  no 
better :— " 

Heinrich  was  interrupted  while  vaunting  and  ex 
tolling  the  civic  discipline,  by  the  trampling  of  horses' 
feet  on  the  pavement  below  the  windows,  and  on 
looking  out  he  saw  Emich  and  all  his  cortege  coolly 
alighting. 

"  Umph  !"  ejaculated  the  Burgomaster — "go  forth, 
and  do  reverence  to  my  Lord  the  Count." 

The  council  awaited  in  deep  silence  the  appear 
ance  of  their  visitor.  Emich  entered  the  hall  with 
the  assured  step  of  a  superior,  and  with  a  counte 
nance  that  was  clouded.  He  bowed  to  the  saluta 
tions  of  the  council,  signed  for  his  armed  followers 
to  await  at  the  door,  and  walked  himself  to  the  seat 
which  Heinrich  had  previously  vacated,  and  which 
in  truth  was  virtually  the  throne  of  Deurckheim. 
Placing  his  heavy  form  in  the  chair,  with  the  air  of 
one  accustomed  to  fill  it,  he  again  bowed,  and  made 
a  gesture  of  the  hand,  which  the  burghers  under 
stood  to  be  an  invitation  to  be  seated.  With  doubt 
ing  faces  the  awed  authorities  submitted,  receiving 
that  permission  as  a  boon,  which  they  were  ready 
2  G 


350  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

so  lately  themselves  to  urge  as  a  civility.  Heinrich 
looked  surprised,  but,  accustomed  to  pay  great  de 
ference  to  his  noble  friend,  he  returned  the  bow  and 
smile — for  he  was  especially  saluted  with  a  smile — 
and  took  the  second  place. 

"  It  was  not  well,  my  worthy  townsmen,  to  clos 
your  gates  thus  churlishly  against  me,"  commenced 
the  baron ;  "  there  are  rights  and  honors  that  ought 
to  be  respected,  at  all  hours  and  seasons,  and  I  mar 
vel  that  this  need  be  taught  to  the  Deurckheimers 
by  a  Count  of  Leiningen.     I  and  my  train  were 
held  at  parlance  at  your  barriers,  an'  we  had  been 
so  many  wandering  gipsies,  or  some  of  the  free 
bands  that  sell  their  arquebuses  and  lances  to  the 
highest  bidder !" 

"  That  there  may  have  been  some  little  delay,  my 
Lord  Count — "  answered  Heinrich — 

"  Little,  Burgomaster !  dost  thou  call  that  little 
which  keeps  a  noble  of  Leiningen  chafing  at  a  gate, 
amid  dust  and  heat,  and  gaping  mouths  ?  thou 
knowest  not  the  spirit  of  our  steeds,  Herr  Frey,  if 
thou  irnaginest  they  like  such  sudden  checks  of  the 
curb.  We  are  of  high  mettle,  horses  and  riders, 
and  must  have  our  way  when  fairly  spurred  !" 

"  There  was  every  desire,  nobly  born  Emich,  to 
do  you  honor,  and  to  undo  our  bolts  as  speedily  as 
might  be  done ;  for  this  end  we  were  about  to  depute 
the  necessary  orders,  when  we  were  suddenly 
favored  with  your  gracious  and  high  dispensing 
company.  We  doubt  not  that  the  captain  of  the 
watch  reasoned  with  himself,  and  did  that,  of  good 
intention  and  of  his  own  accord,  which  he  would 
speedily  have  been  called  upon  to  do,  by  our  com 
mands." 

"God's  truth  !  that  may  not  prove  so  true,"  an 
swered  Emich,  laughing.  "  Our  impatience  was 
stronger  than  your  bolts,  and  lest  the  same  oversight 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  351 

might  renew  the  inconvenience,  we  found  means  to 
enter  with  little  formality." 

The  burghers  in  general  seemed  greatly  troubled, 
and  Heinrich  as  greatly  surprised.  The  baron  saw 
that  enough  had  been  said,  for  the  moment ;  and, 
assuming  a  more  gracious  mien,  he  continued  in 
another  strain. 

"  Well,  loving  townsmen,"  he  said,  "  it  is  now  a 
happy  week,  since  all  our  desires  have  been  accom 
plished.  The  Benedictines  are  defeated,  the  Jae- 
gerthal  is  at  peace  and  under  the  sway  of  its  rightful 
Lord,  and  yet  the  sun  rises  and  sets  as  before,  the 
heavens  seem  as  smiling,  the  rains  as  refreshing, 
and  all  our  hopes  as  reasonable,  as  of  old !  There  is 
to  be  no  miracle  in  their  behalf,  Herr  Heinrich,  and 
we  may  fain  sleep  in  peace." 

"  That  may  depend,  Lord  Count,  on  other  humors 
than  ours.  Here  are  reports  abroad  that  are  any 
thing  but  pleasant  to  the  ear,  and  our  honest  towns 
men  are  troubled  lest,  after  doing  good  service  in 
behalf  of  their  betters,  they  may  yet  be  made  to 
pay  all  the  charges  of  the  victory." 

"  Set  their  hearts  at  peace,  worthy  Burgomaster, 
for  I  have  not  thrust  a  hand  into  the  ecclesiastical 
flame,  without  thought  of  keeping  it  from  being 
scorched.  Thou  knowest  I  have  friends,  and  'twill 
not  be  easy  to  put  a  Count  of  Leiningen  to  the  ban." 

"  Nay,  we  doubt  but  little,  illustrious  noble,  of  your 
safety,  and  of  your  house's ;  our  fear  is  for  our 
selves." 

"Thou  hast  only  to  lean  on  me,  Master  Frey. 
When  the  tie  between  us  shall  be  explained  more 
clearly  to  the  Emperor  and  the  Diet,  and  when  our 
loving  wishes,  as  respects  each  other,  shall  be  better 
understood,  all  will  know  that  to  strike  Deurckheim 
is  to  aim  a  blow  at  me.  Whence  cometh  this  sud 
den  fear,  for  last  reports  touching  your  condition 


352  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

said  that  the  town  was  firm  of  heart,  and  bent  ot\ 
joining  Luther,  rather  than  confess  ?' 

*•  Sapperment !  the  heart  must  not  always  be 
judged  by  the  countenance !  Here  is  the  smith,  who 
is  seldom  of  a  bright  visage,  but  were  it  said  that 
his  heart  is  as  black  as  his  face,  great  injustice 
would  be  done  the  man." 

A  movement  and  a  murmur  betrayed  the  admira 
tion  of  those  who  crowded  the  door,  at  this  figure 
of  the  Burgomaster. 

"  Thou  hast  some  reason  for  this  sudden  despond 
ency  ?"  rejoined  the  Count,  glancing  a  look  of  indif 
ference  at  the  artisans. 

"Why,  to  speak  the  truth,  Lord  Emich,  Boni- 
facius  hath  sent  us  a  missive,  written  in  very  fair 
Latin,  and  in  a  scholarly  manner,  that  threatens  us 
to  a  man  with  every  Christian  wish,  from  plagues  to 
downright  and  incurable  damnation." 

"  And  art  thou  troubled,  Heinrich,  at  a  scrawl  of 
unintelligible  words !" 

"I  know  not  what  is  to  be  understood,  Herr 
Count,  if  a  demand  for  Heinrich  Frey,  with  eleven 
others  of  our  most  respected,  as  hostages,  doubtless 
to  be  kept  from  their  affairs  in  some  convent  cells, 
on  hard  fare,  and  hard  penance,  for  weary  months, 
be  not  plain !  To  this  they  add  demands  for  gold, 
with  pilgrimages,  and  penances,  and  other  godly  re 
creations." 

"  By  whose  hand  got  ye  this  ?" 

"  By  that  of  the  honest  Prior,  a  man  of  so  much 
bowels,  that  I  marvel  he  should  be  the  bearer  of  a 
message  so  unwelcome  and  so  uncharitable.  But 
the  best  of  us  have  our  moments  of  weakness,  for 
all  are  not  always  thoughtful  or  just." 

"  Ha  !  Arnolph  is  afoot !— Hath  he  departed  ?" 

"  He  tarries,  my  good  lord ;  for  look  you,  we  have 
not  yet  determined  on  the  fashion  of  our  reply." 

"  Thou  wouldst  not  have  thought  of  sending  an- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  353 

»wer,  without  taking  counsel  of  me,  Herr  Frey !" 
said  Emich,  sharply,  and  much  in  the  manner  that 
a  parent  reproves  his  child.  "  I  am  luckily  arrived, 
and  the  matter  shall  be  looked  to.  Have  ye  be 
thought  ye  of  the  fitting  terms  ?" 

"  No  doubt  all  have  bethought  them  much,  though 
as  yet,  none  have  uttered  their  secret  opinions.  For 
one,  I  cry  out  loudly  against  all  hostages,  though 
none  could  be  readier  than  I  to  undergo  this  risk  to 
serve  the  town ;  but  it  is  admitting  an  error  in  too 
plain  evidence,  and  carrieth  with  it  a  confession  that 
our  faith  is  not  to  be  depended  on." 

This  sentiment,  which  had  long  been  struggling  in 
Heinrich's  breast,  met  with  an  audible  echo  in  that 
of  every  one  of  the  eleven  who  were  likely,  by  sit 
uation  and  years,  to  be  chosen  for  this  honorable 
distinction;  and  every  man  among  them  uttered 
some  proper  phrase  concerning  the  value  of  char 
acter,  and  the  necessity  of  so  demeaning  themselves, 
as  not  to  cheapen  that  of  Deurckheim.  Emich  lis 
tened  coolly,  for  it  was  of  great  indifference  to  him 
how  much  the  burghers  were  alarmed,  since  their 
fears  could  only  induce  them  the  more  to  seek  sup 
port  from  his  interest  and  power. 

"  Thou  hast  then  refused  the  conditions  ?" 

"  We  have  done  nothing,  Herr  Count,  but  we  have 
thought  much  and  sorely,  as  hath  just  been  said.  I 
take  it,  the  gold  and  the  hostages  will  find  but  little 
favor  among  us ;  but,  rather  than  keep  the  Palati 
nate  in  a  disturbed  and  insecure  state,  and  as  we 
are  quiet  burghers,  who  look  to  peace  and  the  means 
of  getting  their  bread,  our  answer  may  not  be  so 
hort,  could  the  matter  be  brought  down  to  a  few 
chosen  penitents  and  pilgrimages.  Though  half  of 
Brother  Luther's  mina  in  many  things,  it  were  well 
to  get  quit  of  even  the  chances  of  damnation,  for  a 
few  sore  feet  and  stripes,  that  might  be  so  managed 
as  to  do  little  civic  harm." 
2G2 


354  THE  IIEIDENMAUER. 

"  By  the  lineage  of  my  house !  excellent  Heinrich, 
thou  dost  but  echo  my  thoughts.  The  Prior  is  a 
man  with  bowels,  and  this  matter  shall  be  speedily 
arranged.  We  must  bethink  us  of  the  details,  for 
these  monks  are  close  calculators,  and  on  a  time  are 
said  to  have  outwitted  Lucifer.  First  then,  there 
shall  be  an  offering  of  gold." 

"  Nay,  my  Lord  Count  will  consider  the  means  of 
our  town  !" — 

"  Peace,  honest  Heinrich,"  whispered  Emich, 
leaning  towards  the  place  where  the  Burgomaster 
and  two  or  three  of  the  principal  members  of  the 
council  sat — "  We  have  accounts  from  the  Hebrews 
at  Koeln,  which  say  the  Limburg  treasures  may  be 
well  applied,  in  this  manner,  to  purchase  a  little 
peace.  We  will  be  liberal  as  becomes  our  names," 
he  now  spoke  to  all,  "  and  not  send  the  brotherhood 
naked  into  a  world,  which  is  getting  every  day  less 
disposed  to  clothe  them ;  we  must  drain  our  coffers 
rather  than  they  should  starve,  and  this  point  may 
be  looked  upon  as  settled.  As  for  our  penitents  and 
pilgrims,  the  castle  and  the  town  shall  equally  fur 
nish  a  share.  I  can  send  the  lieutenant  of  my  men- 
at-arms,  who  hath  a  nimble  foot — Gottlob  the  cow 
herd,  to  whom  punishment  is  fairly  due,  on  many 
general  accounts — and  others  doubtless  that  may 
be  found.  What  good,  of  this  nature,  can  Deurck- 
heim  supply  ?" 

"  We  are  a  homely  people,  high-born  Graf,  and 
having  fewer  virtues  than  our  betters,  are  not  so 
well  gifted  either  in  vices.  As  becomelh  a  middle 
state,  we  are  content  with  no  great  excess  in  the 
one  or  the  other  of  the  more  striking  qualities ;  and 
yet  I  doubt  not,  neighbors,  that  at  need  there  might 
be  among  us  men,  who  would  not  fare  the  worse 
for  wholesome  correction  and  fitting  penances  ?" 

Heinrich  looked  about  him,  in  an  inquiring  man 
ner,  while  each  burgher  passed  the  investigation  on 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  355 

to  the  next,  as  men  forward  a  glance  that  they  wish 
to  think  has  no  application  to  themselves.  The 
crowd  at  the  door  recoiled  a  pace,  and  heads  were 
turned  curiously,  and  eyes  roamed  among  the  in 
feriors,  with  quite  as  much  expression  as  had  just 
been  done  by  their  superiors. 

"  There  are  delinquents,  young  and  thoughtless 
varlets,  who  vex  the  town  with  their  ribaldry  and 
noise,  that  it  might  do  to  scourge  with  the  church's 
rod," — suggested  the  tremulous  and  aged  Wolfgang. 

"  St.  Benedict  will  be  put  off  with  none  of  these," 
bluffly  answered  the  Burgomaster;  "he  must  have 
men  of  substance  and  of  some  esteem,  or  the 
affair  will  be  as  far  as  ever  from  a  happy  conclusion. 
What  thinkest  thou,  honest  and  patriotic  Dietrich?— 
Thou  hast  a  constitution  to  endure,  and  a  heart  of 
iron." 

"  Tausend  sex  und  zwanzig !"  returned  the  smith; 
'you  little  know  all  my  ailings,  most  worshipful 
masters,  if  you  think  I  am  near  this  force  !  I  have 
difficulties  of  breath,  that  are  only  at  peace  near 
the  heat  of  the  forge,  and  my  heart  gets  soft  as  a 
feather  on  a  journey.  Then  there  is  the  wife  and 
the  young  to  wail  my  absence,  and  I  am  not  scholar 
enough  to  repeat  a  prayer  more  than  some  six  or 
ten  times  in  a  day." 

This  excuse  did  not  appear  to  satisfy  the  council, 
who,  acting  on  that  principle  of  exaction  which  is 
found  among  all  people  and  in  all  communities,  felt 
disposed  to  recollect  the  former  services  of  the 
artisan,  as  a  sort  of  apology  for  further  claims  on 
his  exertions. 

"  Nay,  for  one  that  hath  ever  been  so  free  at  the 
wish  of  Deurckheim,  this  plea  cometh  with  an  ili 
grace,"  answered  Heinrich, — a  sentiment  that  was 
audibly  repeated  in  a  general  exclamation  of  dis 
content  by  all  the  other  burghers. — 


356  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  We  expected  other  reply  from  thee !" 

"  Well,  since  the  worshipful  council  expects — but 
there  will  be  the  wife  and  the  young,  with  none  to 
care  for  them  !" — 

"That  difficulty  may  be  disposed  of — thou  nast 
six,  if  I  remember,  in  thy  household  ?" 

"  Ten,  honorable  Heinrich — not  a  mouth  less  than 
half  a  score,  and  all  of  an  age  to  require  much 
food  and  strong." 

"  Here  are  all  but  two  of  our  dozen,  in  a  word, 
noble  Emich,"  promptly  added  the  Burgomaster; 
"  and  of  a  scriptural  quality,  for  we  are  told,  the 
prayers  and  sacrifices  of  the  young  and  innocent 
are  acceptable.  Thanks,  honest  smith,  and  more 
than  thanks :  thou  shalt  have  marks  of  a  quality 
different  from  those  left  by  the  scourge.  No  doubt 
the  others  may  be  picked  up  among  the  useless  and 
idle." 

"  Our  affairs  seem  settled,  loving  burghers,"  an 
swered  the  Count.  "  Leave  me  to  dispose  of  the 
question  of  indemnity,  and  look  ye  to  the  penitents, 
and  to  the  seemliness  of  the  atonement.  Ye  may 
retire,  ye  that  throng  the  way." — The  mandate  was 
hurriedly  obeyed,  and  the  door  closed. — "As  for 
support  at  Heidelburg  and  Madrid,"  continued  the 
Count,  "  the  matter  hath  been  looked  to ;  and  should 
the  complaint  be  pushed  beyond  decency  at  Rome, 
we  have  ahvays  brother  Luther  as  an  ally.  Boni- 
facius  wanteth  not  for  understanding,  and  when  he 
looks  deeper  into  our  defences,  and  into  the  humor 
of  the  times,  I  know  him  for  one  that  will  be  disposed 
to  stay  an  evil,  before  it  becomes  an  incurable  sore. 
These  shaven  crowns,  master  Heinrich,  are  not  like 
us  fathers  of  families,  much  troubled  for  posterity ; 
for  they  leave  no  name  or  blood  behind  them ;  and 
so  long  as  we  can  fairly  satisfy  their  present  long 
ings,  the  truce  may  be  considered  as  more  than  half 
concluded.  To  strip  a  churchman  of  his  hoardings, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  357 

needeth  but  a  bold  spirit,  a  present  bribe,  and  a 
strong  hand." 

The  whole  council  murmured  its  approval  of  this 
reasoning,  and  the  discussion  now  took  a  turn  more 
inclining  to  the  details. 

Emich  grew  gracious,  and  the  burghers  bolder. 
Some  even  laughed  openly  at  their  late  apprehen 
sions,  and  nearly  all  thought  they  saw  a  final  settle 
ment  of  this  long-disputed  and  serious  question.  The 
Prior,  who  had^been  engaged  in  visits  of  religious 
charity  in  the  town,  was  soon  summoned,  and  the 
Count  assumed  the  office  of  communicating  the 
common  answer. 

The  meeting  between  Emich  and  Father  Arnolph 
was  characteristic.  It  took  place  in  the  public 
hall,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  few  of  the  principal 
burghers.  The  Count  was  at  first  disposed  to  be 
haughty,  imperious,  and  even  repulsive;  but  the 
Monk  was  meek,  earnest,  and  calm.  The  effect  of 
this  forbearance  was  quickly  apparent.  Their  in 
tercourse  soon  grew  more  courteous,  for  Emich, 
when  not  excited,  or  misled  by  the  cupidity  that  dis 
graced  the  age,  possessed  most  of  the  breeding  of 
his  peers.  On  the  other  hand,  Arnolph  never  lost 
sight  of  his  duties,  the  chiefest  of  which  he  believed 
to  be  charity. 

"  Thou  art  the  bearer  of  the  olive-branch,  holy 
Prior,"  said  the  Count,  as  they  took  their  seats, 
after  some  little  previous  parley ;  "  and  pity  'tis, 
that  all  who  wear  the  cowl,  did  not  as  well  compre 
hend  the  pleasantest  quality  of  their  sacred  charac 
ters.  The  world  would  grow  less  quarrelsome,  and 
we  who  worship  in  the  court  of  the  temple,  would 
be  less  disturbed  by  doubts  touching  those  who  lift 
its  veil." 

"  I  did  not  look  to  hold  discussion  of  clerkly  duties 
with  thee,  Lord  Count,  when  my  superior  sent  me 
on  this  errand  to  the  town  of  Deurckheim,"  mildlv 


358 


THE  HE1DENMAUEK. 


answered  the  monk,  indifferent  to  the  other's  \\  Jy 
compliments.  "  Am  I,  then,  to  consider  the  castle 
and  the  council  as  one  ?" 

"In  heart,  humor,  and  interests; — I  might  add, 
also,  in  rights  and  sovereignty;  for,  now  all  question 
of  the  Abbey  is  settled,  the  ancient  temporal  rule  is 
replaced. — Say  I  well,  loving  burghers  1" 

"Umph!"  ejaculated  Heinrich.  The  rest  bent 
their  heads,  though  doubtingly  like  men  taken  by 
surprise.  But  Emich  seemed  perfectly  satisfied. 

"  It  is  of  no  great  moment  who  governs  here, 
since  the  wrong  done  to  God  and  our  brotherhood 
must  be  repaired  by  those  who  have  committed  it. 
Hast  thou  examined  the  missive  of  the  Abbey, 
Herr  Burgomaster,  and  art  ready  with  the  reply  1" 

"  This  duty  hath  been  done,  reverend  Arnolph, 
and  here  is  our  answer.  As  for  the  letter,  it  is  our 
mature  opinion,  that  it  hath  been  indited  in  a  fair 
hand,  and  in  very  learned  Latin,  as  befitteth  a 
brotherhood  of  so  much  repute.  We  deem  this 
more  creditable,  since  there  have  been  some  late 
heavy  losses  in  books,  and  he  who  did  this  might 
not  have  the  customary  aid  of  materials  to  which 
use  had  made  him  familiar.  As  for  what  hath  been 
said  in  the  way  of  greeting  and  benedictions,  holy 
Prior,  we  are  thankful,  and  most  especially  for  the 
part  that  is  of  thy  share,  which  we  esteem  to  be  of 
particular  unction ;  in  mine  own  behalf,  especially 
would  I  thank  all  of  the  convent  for  the  manner  in 
which  my  name  hath  been  introduced  into  theii 
good  wishes ;  though  I  must  add,  it  were  better  that 
he  who  wrote  had  been  content  to  stop  there,  since 
these  frequent  introductions  of  private  personages, 
in  matters  of  general  concernment,  are  apt  to  raise 
envy  and  other  evil  passions.  As  respecting,  more 
over,  any  especial  pilgrimages  and  penances  in  my 
own  person,  I  feel  not  the  occasion,  as  would  doubt- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  359 

less  be  the  fact  at  need,  since  we  see  most  men 
pricked  on  to  these  mortifications  by  their  own  con 
sciences." 

'•  The  expiation  is  not  sought  for  particular  con 
solation,  neither  is  it  desired  as  a  balm  to  the  Con 
vent's  wounds,  but  as  an  humble  and  a  necessary 
atonement  to  God.  In  this  view  have  we  deemed  it 
'mportant  to  choose  those  who  are  most  esteemed 
among  men,  since  it  is  before  the  eyes  of  mankind 
that  the  expiation  must  be  made.  I  am  the  bearer 
of  similar  proposals  to  the  Castle,  and,  by  high  ec 
clesiastical  authority,  am  I  charged  to  demand  that 
its  well-born  Lord,  himself,  make  these  acknowledg 
ments  in  his  own  person.  The  sacrifice  of  the  hon 
ored  and  innocent  hath  more  flavor  than  that  of  the 
mean  and  wicked." 

"  Potz  Tausend !"  muttered  Heinrich.— "  I  see  lit 
tle  use  for  leading  a  clean  life  with  such  doctrines 
and  discipline !" 

But  Emich  heard  the  proposal  without  a  frown. 
Bold,  haughty,  and  audacious,  he  was  also  deeply 
artful  and  superstitious.  For  years,  his  rude  mind 
had  been  tormented  by  conflicting  passions — those 
of  cupidity  and  religious  dread  ;  and  now  that  the 
former  was  satisfied,  he  had  begun  to  reflect  serious 
ly  of  appeasing  his  latent  apprehensions  in  some 
effectual  manner.  Plans  of  various  expiatory  offer 
ings  had  already  crossed  his  mind,  and  so  far  from 
hearing  the  declaration  of  the  Benedictine  with  re 
sentment,  he  entertained  the  idea  with  pleasure.  It 
seemed  an  easy  and  cheap  expedient  of  satisfying 
all  scruples ;  for  the  re-establishment  of  the  com 
munity  on  the  hill  of  Limburg  was  a  condition  he 
knew  to  be  entirely  out  of  the  question,  in  the  present 
state  of  the  public  mind  in  Germany.  In  this  humor, 
then,  did  he  reply.  The  conference  of  course  pro 
ceeded  harmoniously,  and  it  was  protracted  for 


360  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

several  hours.  But  as  its  results  will  be  more  regu« 
larly  developed  in  the  course  of  the  narrative,  we 
shall  not  anticipate  events. 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

"  In  a  strange  land 

Such  things,  however  trivial,  reach  the  heart, 
And  through  the  heart  the  head,  clearing  away 
The  narrow  notions  that  grew  up  at  home,' 
And  in  their  place  grafting  good  will  to  all" — 

Rogers. 

IT  is  necessary  to  advance  a  few  weeks  in  the 
order  of  time ;  a  change  that  will  bring  us  to  the 
middle  of  the  warm  and  generous  month  of  July. 
The  hour  was  towards  the  close  of  day,  and  the 
place  and  scenery  such  as  it  is  now  our  duty  to  de 
scribe. 

Let  the  reader  imagine  a  high  naked  down,  whose 
surface  was  slightly  broken  by  irregularities.  Scarce 
a  tree  was  visible  over  the  whole  of  its  bald  face, 
though  a  few  stunted  shrubs  betrayed  the  efforts  of 
the  earth  to  push  forth  a  meager  vegetation.  The 
air  was  pure,  thin,  and  volatile,  and,  together  with 
the  soft  blue  of  the  void,  denoted  a  great  elevation 
above  the  vapors  and  impurities  which  linger  nearer 
to  regions  that  lie  on  the  level  of  the  sea.  Notwith 
standing  these  never-failing  signs  of  a  mountain 
country,  here  and  there  were  to  be  seen  distant 
peaks,  that  shot  upward  into  the  fierce  light,  glitter 
ing  with  everlasting  frost.  Along  one  side  of  this 
naked  expanse,  the  land  fell  suddenly  away,  towards 
a  long,  narrow,  sheet  of  water,  which  lay  a  thou 
sand  feet  below.  The  shores  of  this  lake,  for  such 
it  was,  were  clothed  with  innumerable  white  dwell 
ings,  and  garnished  with  hamlets  and  vineyards, 
while  a  walled  town,  with  its  towers  and  battlements, 
occasionally  darkened  the  shores.  But  these  were 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  361 

objects  scarcely  to  be  seen,  from  the  precise  situa 
tion  which  we  desire  the  mind  of  the  reader  to 
occupy.  In  the  distant  view,  always  in  that  direc 
tion,  one  favorably  placed  might  have  seen  a  vast 
range  of  undulating  country,  stretching  towards 
the  north  and  east,  that  had  the  usual  characteristics 
of  a  region  in  which  Alpine  mountains  begin  gradu 
ally  to  melt  into  the  plain.  This  region  was  beauti 
fied  with  several  spots  of  dark  blue,  resembling  so 
many  deep  reflections  of  the  skies,  which  were 
sheets  of  limpid  and  tranquil  water.  Towards  the 
south  and  west,  the  down  was  bounded  by  a  natural 
wall  of  rude  and  gray  rock,  that  rose,  in  nearly  all 
its  line,  to  the  elevation  of  a  mountain,  and  which 
shot  up  to  a  giddy  height,  near  its  centre,  in  two 
pointed  cones,  that,  by  their  forms,  coupled  with 
other  circumstances  that  shall  be  soon  explained, 
had  obtained  the  name  of  the  '  Mitres.' 

Near  the  barrier  of  mountain,  and  almost  directly 
beneath  these  natural  mitres,  was  a  small  village, 
whose  houses,  constructed  of  wood,  had  the  wide 
roofs,  numerous  windows,  and  the  peculiar  resin- 
like  color  of  Swiss  habitations. 

The  place  was  a  hamlet  rather  than  a  village, 
and  most  of  the  land  around  it  lay  at  waste,  like  all 
that  was  visible  for  miles,  in  every  direction.  On  a 
rising  ground  near  the  hamlet,  from  which  it  was 
separated  merely  by  a  large  esplanade,  or  green  as 
we  should  be  apt  to  term  the  spot,  stood  one  of 
those  mazes  of  roofs,  chimneys,  and  towers,  which 
in  that  age,  and  indeed  even  now,  mark  a  conven 
tual  pile.  The  edifices  were  large,  complicated  in 
their  forms  and  order,  and  had  been  constructed 
without  much  architectural  knowledge  or  taste ;  the 
air  of  the  whole  being  that  of  rude  but  abundant 
wealth.  In  the  centre  was  a  church,  or  chapel, 
evidently  of  ancient  existence  and  simple  origin, 
though  its  quaint  outlines  were  elaborately  decorated, 


362  THE  HEIDEINMAUER. 

after  the  fashion  of  the  times,  by  a  variety  of  after 
thoughts,  and  in  a  manner  to  show  that  means  were 
not  wanting  to  render  the  whole  more  magnificent, 
and  that  the  fault  of  the  construction  lay  rather  in 
the  first  idea,  than  in  any  subsequent  ability  or  incli 
nation  to  repair  it. 

The  site  of  this  hamlet  and  down  was  in  the 
celebrated  Canton  of  Schwytz,  a  small  district  that 
has  since  given  its  name  to  the  heroic  confederation, 
that  occupies  so  much  of  the  country  among  and 
near  the  Western  Alps.  Its  name  was  Einsiedlen ; 
the  monastic  buildings  belonged  to  a  convent  of 
Benedictines,  and  the  church  contained  one  of  the 
shrines  even  then  most  in  repute,  after  that  of  Loretto. 
Time  and  revolutions  have  since  elevated  our  Lady 
of  Einsiedlen,  perhaps,  to  the  very  highest  rank 
among  the  pilgrimages  of  the  Catholic ;  for  we  have 
lately  seen  thousands  crowding  her  altars,  while  we 
found  the  Santa  Casa  abandoned  chiefly  to  the  care 
of  its  guardians,  or  subject  to  the  casual  inspection 
of  curious  heretics. 

Having  thus  described  the  spot  to  which  the  scene 
is  shifted,  it  is  proper  to  refer  to  the  actors. 

At  a  point  distant  less  than  a  league  from  the 
hamlet,  and  on  the  side  of  the  open  down  just  men 
tioned,  which  lies  next  to  the  steep  ascent  from  the 
lake  of  Zurich,  and  in  the  direction  of  the  Rhine, 
there  came  a  group  of  travellers  of  both  sexes,  and 
apparently  of  all  ages,  between  declining  manhood 
and  vigorous  youth.  They  were  afoot,  wearing  the 
garb  and  symbols  of  pilgrims.  Weariness  had  caused 
them  to  lengthen  their  line,  and  they  went  in  pairs, 
the  strongest  in  front,  the  feeble  and  more  fatigued 
in  the  rear. 

In  advance  marched  two  men.  One  wore  the 
gown  and  cowl  of  a  Benedictine,  while  he  carried, 
like  the  rest,  the  staff  and  wallet  of  a  pilgrim.  His 
companion  had  the  usual  mantle  decorated  with  scol- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  363 

lop  shells,  and  also  bore  his  scrip  and  stick.  The 
others  had  the  same  attire,  with  the  usual  exceptions 
that  distinguish  the  sexes.  They  consisted  of  two 
men  of  middle  age,  who  followed  those  in  front; 
two  of  each  sex  in  pairs,  all  still  young  and  active ; 
t\vo  females,  who  were  in  their  prime,  though 
wearied  and  sad;  and  a  maiden,  who  dragged  her 
limbs  after  them  with  a  difficulty  disproportioned 
to  hsr  years.  At  the  side  of  the  latter  was  a  crone, 
whose  infirmities  and  age  had  enabled  her  to  obtain 
the  indulgence  of  an  ass,  on  which  she  was  seated 
comparatively  at  her  ease ;  though,  by  a  license  that 
had  been  winked  at  by  the  monk,  her  saddle  was 
encumbered  with  the  scrips  of  most  of  the  female 
penitents.  In  the  rear  of  all  came  two  males,  who 
seemed  to  form  a  sort  of  rear  guard  to  the  whole 
oarty. 

This  group  was  composed  of  the  Prior  and  Emich, 
who  led  the  van;  of  Heinrich,  and  Dietrich,  the 
smith ;  of  Gisela  and  Gottlob,  with  a  youth  and 
maiden  from  Deurckheim  ;  of  Ulrike  and  Lottchen , 
of  Meta  and  Use,  and  of  M.  Latouche  and  the 
Knight  of  Rhodes.  These  were  the  penitents  chosen 
to  expiate  the  late  offence  to  the  majesty  of  God, 
by  prayers  and  mortifications  before  the  shrine  of 
Einsiedlen.  The  temporal  question  had  been  partially 
put  at  rest,  by  the  intrigues  and  influence  of  the 
Count,  backed,  as  he  was,  by  timely  applications  of 
gold,  and  by  the  increasing  heresy  that  had  effectu 
ally  shaken  the  authority  of  the  Church  throughout 
all  Germany,  and  which  had  sufficiently  apprized 
the  practised  Bonifacius,  and  his  superiors,  of  the 
expediency  of  using  great  moderation  in  their  de 
mands. 

"St.  Benedict  make  us  thankful,  holy  father!" 
said  the  Count,  as  his  gratified  eye  first  beheld  the 
long  wished-for  roofs  of  the  convent. — "  We  have 
burneyed  a  weary  distance ;  and  this  snail's  pace, 


364  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

which,  in  deference  to  the  weak,  we  are  bound  to 
observe,  but  little  suits  the  impatience  of  a  warrior, 
accustomed  to  steed  and  spur.  Thou  hast  often 
visited  this  sacred  shrine,  pious  Arnolph  ?" 

The  Monk  had  stopped,  and  with  a  tearful  eye 
he  stood  gazing,  in  religious  reverence,  at  the  dis 
tant  pile.  Then  kneeling  on  the  grass,  he  prayed 
while  the  others,  accustomed  to  these  sudden  de 
monstrations  of  zeal,  gladly  rested  their  limbs,  tht 
while. 

"Never  before  hath  eye  of  mine  greeted  yon 
holy  pile,"  answered  the  Prior,  as  they  slowly  re 
sumed  their  journey ;  "  though  often,  in  night  dreams, 
hath  my  soul  yearned  for  the  privilege !" 

"  Methinks,  father,  thou  hast  little  occasion  for 
penitence,  or  pilgrimage: — thou,  whose  life  hath 
rolled  on  in  deeds  of  Christian  charity  and  love." 

"  Each  day  brings  its  evil,  and  each  day  should 
have  its  expiation." 

"  Truly,  not  in  marches  over  stony  and  mountain 
paths,  like  these  we  travel.  Einsiedlen  must  have 
especial  virtue,  to  draw  men  so  far  from  their  homes 
to  do  it  honor.  Hast  the  history  of  the  shrine  at 
command,  reverend  Prior  ?" 

"  It  should  be  known  to  all  Christians,  and  chiefly 
to  the  pilgrim.  I  had  thought  thee  instructed  in 
these  great  events !" 

"By  the  Magi! — to  speak  thee  honestly,  Father 
Arnolph,  the  little  friendship  which  hath  subsisted 
between  Limburg  and  my  house,  had  given  a  dis 
relish  for  any  Benedictine  miracle,  let  it'be  of  what 
quality  it  would ;  but  now  that  we  are  likely  to  be 
so  lovingly  united,  I  could  gladly  hear  the  tale,  which 
will  at  least  serve  to  divert  our  thoughts  from  a  sub 
ject  so  grovelling  as  our  own  feet;  for  to  conceal 
nothing,  mine  make  most  importunate  appeals  to  be 
at  rest !" 

"  Our  journey  draweth  near  its  end ;  but,  as  thy 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  365 

request  is  reasonable,  it  shall  be  answered.  Listen, 
then,  Emich,  and  may  the  lesson  profit  thy  soul  1 
During  the  reign  of  the  illustrious  and  warlike  Char 
lemagne,  who  governed  Gaul,  with  so  much  of  our 
Germany  and  the  country  of  the  Franks,  there  lived 
a  youth  of  the  ancient  family  of  Hohenzollern, 
branches  of  which  still  possess  principalities  and 
marches  in  the  empire.  The  name  of  this  learned 
and  pious  youth  was  Meinard.  Early  fatigued  with 
the  vanities  of  life,  he  sought  a  hermitage,  nearer 
than  this  to  the  banks  of  that  lake  which  we  so  late 
ly  crossed  at  Rapperschwyl.  But,  overburdened  by 
the  number  of  the  curious  and  pious  who  visited  his 
cell,  the  holy  Meinard,  after  seven  years  of  prayer, 
retired  to  a  clear  fountain,  which  must  still  run  near 
yonder  church,  where  another  cell  and  a  chapel 
were  built  for  him,  expressly  by  command  of  Hilde- 
garde,  a  royal  lady,  and  the  Abbess  of  a  monastery 
in  the  town  of  Zurich.  Here  Meinard  lived  and 
here  he  died,  filled  with  grace,  and  greatly  blessed 
by  godly  exercises." 

"  Father,  had  he  a  profitable  and  happy  end,  in 
this  wild  region  ?" 

"  Spiritually,  nothing  could  have  been  more  de 
sirable  ;  temporally,  naught  more  foul.  He  died  by 
the  hands  of  vile  assassins,  to  whom  he  had  render 
ed  hospitality.  The  deed  was  discovered  by  means 
of  two  crows,  who  followed  the  murderers  to  Zu 
rich,  where  they  were  taken  and  executed — at  least, 
so  sayeth  tradition.  In  a  later  age,  the  holy  Meinard 
was  canonized  by  Benedict  VIII.  For  nearly  half 
a  century,  the  cell  of  Meinard,  though  in  great  re 
quest  as  a  place  of  prayer,  remained  without  a  ten 
ant  ;  but  at  the  end  of  that  period,  Beurun,  a  canon 
of  the  house  of  Burgundy,  which  house  then  ruled 
most  of  the  country  far  and  near,  caused  the  chapel 
and  cell  to  be  repaired,  replaced  the  image  of  the 
olessed  Maria,  and  devoted  his  own  life  to  the  her- 

2  H2 


THE  IIEIDENMAUER. 

milage.  The  neighboring  Seigneurs  and  Barons 
contributed  to  endow  the  place,  and  divers  holy  men 
joined  themselves  to  the  service  of  the  altar,  from 
which  circumstance  the  shrine  obtained  the  name 
of  our  '  Lady  of 'the  Hermits,'  its  true  appellation  to 
this  hour.  It  would  weary  thee  to  listen  to  the  tale 
of  miracles  performed  in  virtue  of  their  prayers, 
even  in  that  early  and  less  gifted  condition  of  the 
place;  but  its  reputation  so  circulated,  that  many 
came  from  afar  to  see  and  to  believe.  In  the  process 
of  time,  a  regular  community  was  established,  and 
the  church  thou  seest  was  erected,  containing  in  its 
nave  the  original  cell,  chapel,  and  image  of  Saint 
Meinard.  Of  the  brotherhood,  Saint  Eberhaud  was 
named  the  Abbot." 

"  I  had  thought  there  was  still  higher  virtue  in  the 
place !"  observed  Emich,  when  the  Prior  paused, 
and  seemingly  a  little  disappointed ;  for  your  deep 
sinner  as  little  likes  a  simple  dispensation,  as  the 
drunkard  relishes  small  drinks. 

"  Thou  shalt  hear.  When  the  buildings  were 
completed,  and  it  became  necessary  to  consecrate 
the  place,  agreeably  to  the  forms  and  usages  of  the 
Church,  Conrad,  Bishop  of  Constance,  was  invited 
to  discharge  the  holy  office.  Here  cometh  the  won 
derful  favor  of  Heaven  !  As  Conrad  of  Constance, 
with  other  pious  men,  arose  to  pray,  at  midnight  of 
the  day  appointed  for  the  service,  they  suddenly 
heard  divine  music  most  sweetly  chanted  bv  angels. 
Though  sore  amazed  and  impressed,  they  were  still 
sufficiently  masters  of  their  reason  to  discover  that 
the  unseen  beings  sang  the  prescribed  formula  of  the 
consecration,  that  office  which  they  were  preparing 
themselves  to  perform  a  few  hours  later.  Satisfied 
with  this  especial  and  wonderful  interference,  Con 
rad  would  have  abstained  from  repeating  a  service 
which  had  already  been  thus  performed,  but  for  the 
demands  and  outcries  of  the  ignorant.  But  when, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  367 

after  hours  of  delay,  he  was  about  to  yield  to  their 
impatience,  a  clear  voice  three  times  admonished 
him  of  the  blasphemy,  by  saying,  *  Cease,  brother ! 
thy  chapel  is  divinely  consecrated  P  From  that  mo 
ment  the  place  is  so  esteemed,  and  all  our  rites  are 
performed  as  at  a  shrine  of  high  behest  and  particu 
lar  virtue." 

Emich  crossed  himself  devoutly,  having  listened 
in  perfect  faith,  and  with  deep  interest ; — for  at  that 
moment  early  impressions  were  stronger  than  the 
modern  doubts. 

"  It  is  good  to  be  here,  father,"  he  reverently  an 
swered  ;  "  I  would  that  Ermengarde,  and  all  of  my 
house,  were  at  my  side !  But  are  there  any  especial 
favors  accorded  to  those  who  come  hither,  in  a  fit 
ting  temper,  in  the  way  of  temporal  gifts  or  political 
considerations;  since,  being  before  a  shrine  so  holy, 
I  could  fain  profit  by  the  sore  pains  and  privations 
by  which  the  grace  is  gained  V 

The  Prior  seemed  mortified,  for,  though  he  lent 
the  faith  required  by  the  opinions  of  the  age,  to  the 
tradition  he  had  recounted,  he  was  too  well  instruct 
ed  in  the  true  doctrines  of  his  Church,  not  to  per 
ceive  the  false  bias  of  his  companion's  mind.  The 
embarrassment  caused  a  silence,  during  which  the 
reader  is  to  imagine  that  they  passed  on,  giving 
place  to  other  personages  of  the  tale. 

Before  turning  to  another  group,  however,  we  de 
sire  to  say  distinctly,  that,  in  relating  the  manner  of 
the  miraculous  consecration  of  the  chapel  of  *  Our 
Lady  of  the  Hermits,1  we  have  wished  merely  to 
set  the  tradition  before  the  reader,  without  inferring 
aught  for,  or  against,  its  authenticity.  It  is  well 
known  that  the  belief  of  these  supernatural  inter 
ferences  of  Divine  Power  forms  no  necessary  part 
of  doctrine,  even  in  that  Church  which  is  said  to  be 
the  most  favored  by  these  dispensations;  and  it 
ought  always  to  be  remembered,  that  those  sects 


368  THE  HEIDENMATJEK. 

which  impugn  these  visible  and  physical  signs  of 
Omnipotence,  entertain  opinions,  of  a  more  purely 
spiritual  character,  tnat  are  scarcely  less  out  of  the 
course  of  ordinary  and  vulgar  nature.  In  cases  in 
which  there  exist  so  nice  shades  of  distinction,  and 
in  which  truth  is  so  difficult  of  discovery,  it  is  our 
duty  to  limit  ourselves  to  popular  facts,  and  as  such 
have  we  given  the  history  of  Einsiedlen,  its  Abbey, 
and  its  Virgin.  The  opinion  of  Father  Arnolph  is 
the  local  opinion  of  our  own  times,  and  it  is  the 
opinion  of  thousands  who,  even  now,  yearly  frequent 
the  shrine. 

Heinrich  and  the  smith  were  the  couple  next  to 
the  Count  and  the  Prior,  and  of  course  they  were 
the  next  to  cross  the  stage. 

"  It  is  no  doubt  much,  or  I  may  add  altogether  as 
you  say,  worshipful  Burgomaster" 

"  Brother  Pilgrim ;"  ruefully  interrupted  Heinrich. 

"  I  should  have  said,  Brother  Worshipful  Pilgrim, 
— though,  Heaven  it  knows,  the  familiarity  goes 
nigh  to  choke  me  1 — but  it  is  much  as  you  say,  that 
whether  we  cling  to  Rome,  or  finally  settle  quietly 
into  the  new  worship  of  Brother  Luther,  this  jour 
ney  ought,  in  all  fairness,  to  be  set  down  to  our  ac 
count,  as  of  so  much  virtue ;  for,  look  you,  brother 
worshipful,  it  is  made  at  the  cost  of  Christian  flesh 
and  blood,  and  therefore  should  it  be  savory,  with 
out  much  particularity  concerning  mere  outward 
appearances.  I  do  not  think,  were  truth  spoken,  that 
wielding  the  sledge  a  twelvemonth  would  have  done 
this  injury  to  my  feet  1" 

"  Have  mercy  on  thyself  and  me,  good  smith,  and 
think  less  of  these  trifling  grievances.  What  Heaven 
wills  must  happen,  else  would  one  of  thy  merit 
have  risen  higher  in  the  world." 

"  Thanks,  Worshipful  Brother  Pilgrim  and  Bur 
gomaster;  I  will  bethink  me  of  resignation,  though 
these  wire-drawn  pains  are  never  to  the  liking  of 


THE  HEIDENMAUEK.  369 

four  men  of  muscle  and  great  courage.  A  knock 
o'  the  head,  or  the  bullet  of  an  arquebuse  gives  less 
uneasiness  than  smaller  griefs  much  endured.  Were 
things  properly  governed,  the  penances  and  pilgrim 
ages,  and  other  expiations  of  the  Church,  would  be 
chiefly  left  to  the  women." 

"  We  shall  see  hereafter  how  Luther  hath  ordered 
this :  but  having  ourselves  embarked  in  this  journey 
for  the  good  of  Deurckheim,  to  say  nothing  of  our 
own  souls,  it  behoveth  us  to  hold  out  manfully ; — a 
duty  the  more  easily  performed,  as  we  can  now  see 
the  end  of  it.  To  speak  thee  fair,  Dietrich,  I  do 
not  remember  ever  to  have  beheld  Benedictine  abode 
with  so  much  joy,  as  this  we  see  at  yonder  moun 
tain's  foot !" 

"Be  of  cheer,  most  honorable  and  excellent 
brother  worshipful  pilgrim ;  the  trial  is  near  its  end, 
and  if  we  come  thus  far  to  do  this  honor  to  our 
own  community,  why, — Himmel !  it  is  but  the  price 
paid  for  getting  rid  of  another !" 

"  Be  of  cheer,  truly,  brother  smith,  for  it  is  but 
some  kneeling,  and  a  few  stripes  that  each  is  to 
apply  to  his  own  back;  after  which  the  return  will 
reasonably  be  more  joyous  than  the  advance." 

Encouraged  by  each  other,  the  devotees  hobbled 
on,  their  heavy  massive  frames  yielding  at  ever} 
step,  like  those  of  overgrown  oxen  which  had  been 
but  indifferently  shod.  As  they  passed  by,  their 
places  were  filled  by  the  four,  of  whom  Gisela  and 
Gottlob  formed  a  part.  Among  these  the  discourse 
was  light  and  trifling,  for  bodily  fatigue  had  little 
influence  on  the  joyous  buoyancy  of  such  spirits; 
especially  at  a  moment  when  they  saw  before  them 
the  immediate  termination  of  their  troubles.  Not 
so  with  those  that  came  next;  these  were  Ulrike 
and  her  friend,  who  moved  along  the  path,  like  those 
who  were  loaded  with  griefs  of  the  soul. 

"  God  is  among  these  hills,  as  he  is  on  our  plains, 


370  THE  HEIDENMAUER 

Lottchen  !"  said  the  former,  continuing  the  discourse. 
"  Yon  temple  is  his  shrine,  as  was  that  of  Limburg ; 
and  it  is  as  vain  for  man  to  think  of  forgetting  him 
on  earth,  as  it  would  be  to  invade  him  in  that  Hea 
ven  which  is  his  throne !  What  he  doth  is  wise,  and 
we  will  endeavor  to  submit." 

The  words  of  Ulrike  were  perhaps  more  touched 
with  resignation  than  her  manner.  The  latter,  though 
subdued,  was  filled  with  sorrow,  and  her  voice  was 
tremulous  nearly  to  tears.  Though  the  exhibition 
of  her  melancholy  was  deep  and  evident,  it  was  oi 
a  character  which  denotes  no  extinction  of  hope. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  features,  eye,  and  entire 
manner  of  her  friend,  bore  the  heavy  and  fatal  im 
press  of  incurable  woe. 

"  God  is  among  these  hills !"  repeated  Lottchen, 
though  she  scarce  seemed  to  hear  the  words ;  "  God 
is  among  these  hills !" 

"  We  approach  a  much-esteemed  shrine,  dearest 
Lottchen :  the  Being,  in  whose  name  it  hath  been 
raised,  will  not  permit  us  to  depart  from  it  unblessed." 

"We  shall  be  blessed,  Ulrike !" 

"  Thou  dwellest  hopelessly  on  thy  loss,  my  Lott 
chen  !  Would  thou  had  less  thought  of  the  past, 
and  more  of  the  future !" 

The  smile  with  which  the  widow  regarded  her 
friend  was  full  of  anguish. 

"  I  have  no  future,  Ulrike,  but  the  grave !" 

"  Dearest  Lottchen  ! — we  will  speak  of  this  holy 
shrine !"  Emotion  smothered  her  voice. 

"  Speak  of  what  thou  wilt,  my  friend,"  answered 
the  childless  widow,  with  a  frightful  calm.  "  I  see 
no  difference  in  subjects." 

"  Lottchen ! — not  when  we  discourse  of  Heaven !" 

The  widow  bowed  her  vacant  eyes  to  earth,  and 
they  passed  on.  Their  footsteps  were  succeeded  by 
those  of  the  beast  ridden  by  Use,  and  by  the  falter 
ing  tread  of  Meta. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  371 

w  Ay, — yon  is  the  shrine  of  our  Lady  of  the  Her 
mits!"  said  the  former;  "a  temple  of  surpassing 
virtue !  WelS,  Heaven  is  not  in  Churches  and  cha 
pels,  and  that  of  Limburg  may  yet  be  spared ;  the 
more  especially  as  the  brotherhood  was  far  from 
being  of  unexceptionable  lives.  Keep  up  thy  heart, 
Meta,  and  think  not  of  weariness,  for  not  a  pain  dost 
thou  now  bear,  that  will  not  be  returned  to  thee, 
another  day,  in  joy,  or  in  some  other  precious  gift, 
This  is  Heaven's  justice,  which  is  certain  to  requite 
all  equally,  for  good  or  evil,  Well-a-day! — it  is 
this  certainty  that  comforteth  the  godly,  and  giveth 
courage  to  the  tottering." 

She  spoke  to  an  insensible  listener.  The  counte 
nance  of  Meta,  like  that  of  Lottchen,  expressed 
hopelessness,  though  it  were  in  less  palpable  and 
certain  signs.  The  eye  was  dull  but  wandering,  the 
cheek  pale,  the  mouth  convulsive  and  at  times  com 
pressed,  the  step  languid,  and  the  whole  being  of 
this  young  and  innocent  creature  seemed  wasting 
under  a  premature  and  unnatural  blight!  She  looked 
at  the  convent  with  indifference,  though  it  brought 
relief  to  her  bodily  pains.  The  mountains  rose  dark 
and  rugged  near,  or  glittered  in  the  distance  like 
hills  of  alabaster,  without  giving  birth  to  a  single 
exclamation  of  that  delight,  which  these  scenes  are 
known  to  excite  in  young  breasts;  and  even  the 
pure  void  above  was  gazed  at,  though  it  seemed  to 
invite  to  a  more  tranquil  existence,  with  vacuity  and 
indifference, 

"Ah's  me!"  continued  Use,  whose  observation 
rarely  penetrated  beyond  her  own  feelings,  and 
whose  tongue  was  never  known  to  wax  weary. — 
"  Ah's  me  !  Meta.  O !  it  must  be  a  wicked  world 
that  needs  all  these  pilgrimages  and  burnings. — But 
they  are  only  types,  child,  of  the  past  and  of  the 
future;  of  the  <  has  been,'  and  of  the  'to  come.' 
First,  life  is  a  pilgrimage,  and  a  penance ;  though 


372  THE  HEIDENMAUEK, 

few  of  us  think  so  while  journeying  on  its  way,  but 
so  it  is  to  all ;  especially  to  the  little  favored — but  a 
penance  it  is,  by  means  of  our  ailings  and  other  in 
firmities,  particularly  in  age;  and  therefore  do  1 
bear  with  it  cheerfully,  since  penances  are  to  be 
borne;  and  the  burnings  of  convents  and  villages 
are  types  of  the  burnings  of  the  wicked.  Thou  dost 
not  answer,  child  ?" 

"  Dost  think,  nurse,  that  they  who  die  by  fire  are 
blessed  !" 

"  Of  what  art  speaking,  Meta  ! — Poor  Berchthold 
Hintermayer  perished,  as  thou  knowest,  in  the  flames 
of  Limburg ;  so  did  Father  Johan,  arid  so  did  one, 
far  more  evil  than  either  I — Oh  I  I  could  reveal  se 
crets,  an'  I  had  not  a  prudent  tongue ! — But  wisdom 
iieth  in  prudence,  and  I  say  naught :  therefore,  Metar 
be  thou  silent." 

"  I  will  obey  thee,  nurse." 

The  tones  of  the  girl  trembled,  and  the  smile 
with  which  she  gladly  acquiesced  in  the  demand  of 
Use,  was  such  as  the  sinking  invalid  gives  the  kind 
attendant. 

"  Thou  art  dutiful,  and  it  is  a  merit.  I  never  knew 
thee  more  obedient,  and  less  given  to  merriment  or 
girlish  exclamations,  than  on  this  very  pilgrimage; 
all  of  which  shows  that  thy  mind  is  in  a  happy  state 
for  these  holy  offices.  Well-a-day } — the  pious  A 
nolph  has  halted,  and  now  we  are  about,  in  sooth,  to 
reap  the  virtue  of  all  our  labors.  Oh !  an'  I  had 
been  a  monk,  thou  wouldest  have  had  a  leader !" 

Use  beat  the  sides  of  the  patient  animal  she  rode, 
and  Meta  toiled  after,  as  well  as  her  trembling 
limbs  permitted.  The  Knight  and  the  Abbe  came 
last. 

"  Thou  hast  made  many  of  these  pious  expiations, 
reverend  Abbe  ?"  observed  the  former,  when  they 
had  risen  the  hill,  which  commanded  a  view  of  the 
convent. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  373 

"  Never  another.  Had  not  chance  made  me  an 
rnnocent  participator  in  the  destruction  of  Limburg, 
this  indignity  would  have  been  spared." 

"  How !  callest  thou  a  pilgrimage,  and  prayer  at  a 
shrine,  an  indignity  ? — thou,  a  churchman  1" 

"  Gallant  Knight,  I  speak  to  thee  as  to  a  comrade 
of  many  days,  and  of  weary  passages ;  as  one  en 
lightened.  Thou  knowest  the  constitution  of  earth, 
and  the  divers  materials  that  compose  society.  We 
have  doctrines  for  all ;  but  practices  must  be  miti 
gated,  like  medicaments  to  the  sick.  Your  pilgrim 
age  is  well  enough  for  the  peasant,  or  the  citizen,  or 
even  for  your  noble  of  the  Provinces,  but  their  merit 
is  much  questioned  among  us  of  the  capitals — unless, 
indeed,  there  should  mingle  some  hope  for  the  future  ; 
but  penance  for  deeds  accomplished  we  hold  to  be 
supererogatory." 

"  By  my  rapier !  no  such  doctrine  was  in  vogue 
at  Rhodes,  where  all  ordinances  were  much  respect 
ed,  and  uniformly  admitted." 

"And  had  ye  then  these  familiar  practices  of  re 
ligion  in  your  daily  habits,  Sir  Knight?" 

"  I  say  not  in  practice ;  but  ever  in  admission. 
Thou  knowest  the  distinction,  Sir  Abbe,  between 
the  purity  of  doctrine,  and  some  constructions  of 
practice." 

"  That  doubtless.  Were  we  to  tie  the  gentle  down 
*o  all  the  observances  and  exactions  of  a  severe 
theory,  there  would  grow  up  numberless  inconve 
niences.  For  myself,  had  it  been  possible  to  pre 
serve  the  ecclesiastical  character,  without  penance 
under  the  odium  of  this  unhappy  but  accidental  visit 
to  our  host  the  Count,  I  could  have  dispensed  with 
the  last  act  of  the  drama." 

"  'Tis  whispered,  Herr  Latouche,  my  cousin  be 
thought  him,  that  the  presence  of  an  ecclesiastic 
might  prove  a  cloak  to  his  intentions,  and  that  we 
21 


374  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

owe   the  pleasure  of   thy  agreeable  society  to  a 
policy  that  is  deeper  than  chance  !" 

Albrecht  of  Viederbach  laughed,  as  he  intimated 
this  ruse  of  Emich ;  and  his  companion,  who  had 
long  perceived  how  completely  he  had  been  the 
dupe  of  his  host,  for  in  truth  he  knew  nothing  pre 
viously  of  the  intended  assault,  was  fain  to  make 
the  best  of  his  situation.  He  laughed,  in  his  turn, 
as  the  loose  of  principle  make  light  of  any  misad 
venture  that  may  happen  to  be  the  consequence  of 
their  laxity  of  morals ;  and,  pressing  each  other,  on 
their  several  parts  in  the  late  events,  the  two  pro 
ceeded  leisurely  towards  the  spot  where  the  Prior 
and  Emich,  as  leaders  of  the  party,  had  now  come 
to  a  halt.  We  shall  profit  by  the  occasion  to  make 
some  necessary  explanations. 

We  are  too  much  accustomed  in  this  Protestant 
country,  to  believe,  that  most  of  the  piety  of  those 
who  profess  the  religion  of  Rome  consists  in  exter 
nals.  When  the  great  antiquity  of  this  Church 
shall  be  remembered,  as  well  as  the  general  ten 
dency,  in  the  early  ages,  to  imitate  the  forms  and 
habits  of  their  immediate  predecessors,  it  should  not 
occasion  surprise  if  some  observances  were  retain 
ed,  that  cannot  very  clearly  be  referred,  either  to 
apostolic  authority  or  to  reason.  The  promulgation 
of  abstract  truth  does  not  necessarily  infer  a  depar 
ture  from  those  practices  which  have  become  of 
value  by  use,  even  though  they  may  not  materially 
assist  in  the  attainment  of  the  great  end.  We  have 
inherited  many  of  the  vestments  and  ceremonies, 
which  are  retained  in  the  Protestant  churches,  from 
Pagan  priests ;  nor  is  there  any  sufficient  motive  for 
abandoning  them,  so  long  as  they  aid  the  decencies 
of  worship,  without  weakening  its  real  objects.  The 
Pagans  themselves  probably  derived  some  of  these 
very  practices,  from  those  whom  we  are  taught  to 
believe  held  direct  communion  with  God,  and  who 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  375 

snould  have  best  known  in  what  manner  to  render 
human  adoration  most  acceptable  to  the  ruler  of  the 
universe. 

In  this  country,  Catholicism,  in  its  limited  and 
popular  meaning,  is  no  longer  catholic,  since  it  is  in 
so  small  a  minority,  as  to  have  no  perceptible  influ 
ence  on  the  opinions  or  customs  of  the  country 
The  outward  symbols,  the  processions,  and  all  the 
peculiar  ceremonies  of  the  Romish  Church  are  con 
fined  to  the  temples,  and  the  eye  rarely  or  never 
meets  any  evidence  of  its  existence,  beyond  their 
walls.  But  in  Europe  the  reverse  is  altogether  the 
case,  more  particularly  in  those  countries  in  which 
the  spiritual  sway  of  the  head  of  the  Church  has 
not  been  interrupted  by  any  adventitious  changes, 
proceeding  from  political  revolutions,  or  otner  pow 
erful  causes.  The  crucifix,  the  spear,  the  cock,  the 
nails,  and  the  sponge,  are  erected  at  cross-roads, — 
chapels  dedicated  to  Mary  are  seen  near  many  a 
spring,  or  at  the  summit  of  some  weary  mountain ; 
while  the  usual  symbols  of  redemption  are  found 
scattered  along  the  highways,  marking  the  site  of 
some  death  by  accident,  or  the  scene  of  a  murder. 

In  no  part  of  the  other  hemisphere  are  these  evi 
dences  of  faith  and  zeal  more  common,  than  in  the 
Catholic  cantons  of  Switzerland.  Hermitages  are 
still  frequent  among  the  rugged  rocks  of  that  region, 
and  it  is  usual  to  see  near  these  secluded  abodes  a 
sort  of  minor  chapel,  that  is  termed,  in  ordinary 
language,  a  *  station.'  These  stations  are  so  many 
tabernacles  raised  by  the  way-side,  each  containing 
a  representation  of  one  of  the  twelve  sufferings  of 
Christ.  They  are  met  equally  on  the  side  of  Vesu 
vius,  overlooking  the  glorious  sea  and  land,  of  that 
unequalled  country;  among  the  naked  wastes  of  the 
Apennines ;  or  buried  in  gorgeous  groves  ;  as  acci 
dent  may  have  determined  their  location.  In  some 
of  the  valleys  of  Switzerland,  these  little  tabernacles 


376  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

dot  the  mountain  side  for  miles,  indicating  by  zig 
zag  lines,  and  white  walls,  the  path  that  leads  from 
the  village  beneath  to  some  shrine,  that  is  perhaps 
perched  on  the  pinnacle  of  a  naked  rock,  or  which 
stands  on  a  spur  of  the  nearest  range. 

The  shrine  of  Einsiedlen  possessed  the  usual  num 
ber  of  these  tabernacles,  stretching  along  the  path 
that  communicated  with  the  Lake  of  Zurich.  They 
were  designated  in  the  customary  manner ;  each  al 
luding  to  some  one  of  those  great  personal  afflic 
tions  that  preceded  the  crucifixion,  and  each  having 
sentences  of  holy  writ,  to  incite  the  pious  to  devo 
tion.  Here  the  pilgrims  ordinarily  commenced  the 
worship  peculiar  to  the  place,  and  it  was  here  that 
the  Prior  now  awaited  his  companions. 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

"  Was  Godde  to  serche  our  hcrtes  and  reines, 
The  best  were  synners  grete  ; 
Christ's  vycarr  only  knowes  ne  synne, 
Ynne  alle  thys  mortal!  state." 

CHATTERTON. 

WHEN  all  were  arrived,  the  pilgrims  divided 
themselves  along  the  path,  some  kneeling  before  one 
tabernacle,  and  some  at  another.  Ulrike  and  Lott- 
chen,  followed  by  the  pallid  Meta,  prayed  long  at 
each  in  succession.  The  other  females  imitated 
their  example,  though  evidently  with  less  zeal  and 
earnestness.  The  Knight  of  Rhodes  and  Monsieur 
Latouche  limited  their  observances  to  a  few  genu 
flexions,  and  much  rapid  crossing  of  themselves  with 
the  fingers,  appearing  to  think  their  general  profes 
sions  of  faith  possessed  a  virtue,  that  superseded  the 
necessity  of  any  extraordinary  demonstrations  of 
piety.  Heinrich  and  the  smith  were  more  particular 
in  showing  respect  for  the  prescribed  forms ;  the 
matter,  who  was  secretly  paid  by  his  townsmen  for 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  377 

what  he  did,  feeling  himself  bound  in  honor  to  grre 
them  the  worth  of  their  money,  and  the  Burgomas 
ter,  in  addition  to  his  looking  for  great  tempora1 
advantages  from  the  whole  affair,  being  much  in 
fluenced  by  paternal  regard  for  Deurckheim.  As 
for  Use,  none  was  more  exact  than  she ;  and,  we 
may  add,  none  more  ostentatious. 

"  Hast  bethought  thee,  Dietrich,  to  say  an  extra 
word  in  behalf  of  the  general  interests'?"  demanded 
Heinrich,  while  he  patiently  awaited  the  removal  of 
the  other,  from  before  the  last  tabernacle,  in  order 
to  assume  the  post  himself. 

"  Nay  worshipful  Burgomaster — " 

"  Brother  Pilgrim,  good  smith  !" 

"Nay,  worshipful  Brother,  and  good  pilgrim, 
there  was  no  question  of  this  duty  in  the  understand 
ing." 

"  Himmel !  Art  such  a  hound,  Dietrich,  as  to 
need  a  bribe  to  pray  in  thine  own  interest  ?  Do 
that  thou  hast  promised,  for  the  penance,  and  in  the 
interest  of  the  monks,  and  then  bethink  thee,  like  an 
honest  artisan,  of  the  town  of  which  thou  art  a  citi 
zen.  I  never  rise  from  my  knees  without  counting 
a  few  beads  on  the  score  of  Deurckheim,  and  others 
for  favor  on  the  family  of  Frey." 

"  I  cry  you  mercy,  honorable  Heinrich  and  ex 
cellent  brother  Pilgrim ;  the  wish  is  reasonable,  and 
it  shall  be  performed." 

The  smith  then  counted  off  his  rosary,  making 
place  for  the  Burgomaster  as  soon  as  he  could  con 
veniently  get  through  with  the  duty.  In  the  mean 
time,  Arnolph  had  prayed  devoutly,  and  with  sin 
cere  mental  abasement,  before  each  station. 

The  pilgrims  then  arranged  themselves  in  two 
lines,  a  form  of  approaching  the  convent  of  Einsied- 
len  that  is  still  observed  by  thousands  annually ;  the 
men  placing  themselves  on  the  right  of  the  path  in 
single  files,  and  the  females  on  its  left,  in  a  similar 
212 


378  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

order.  Arnolph  walked  ahead,  and  the  whole  pro 
ceeded.  Then  began  the  repetition  of  the  short 
prayers  aloud. 

Whoever  has  wandered  much  through  this  remark 
able  and  wild  country,  must  have  frequently  met  with 
parties  of  pilgrims,  marching  in  themanner  described, 
and  uttering  their  aspirations  in  the  pure  air,  as  they 
ascend  to,  or  descend  from,  the  altar  of  "our  Lady 
of  the  Snow,"  on  the  Rhigi,  or  wend  their  way 
among  rocky  and  giddy  paths,  seeking  or  returning 
from  some  other  shrine.  We  know  of  no  display 
of  human  worship  that  is  more  touching  or  impres 
sive  than  this.  The  temple  is  the  most  magnificent 
on  earth,  the  air  is  as  limpid  as  mountain  torrents 
and  a  high  region  can  bestow,  while  sound  is  con 
veyed  to  the  ear,  in  its  clearest  and  most  distinct 
tones,  aided  perhaps  by  the  echoes  of  dells  that  are 
nearly  unfathomable,  or  of  impending  masses  that 
appear  to  prop  the  skies.  Long  before  the  party  is 
seen,  the  ear  announces  its  approach  by  the  music 
of  the  prayers ;  for  music  it  is  in  such  a  place,  the 
notes  alternating  regularly  between  the  deep  bass 
of  the  male  to  the  silvery  softness  of  the  female 
voice. 

Such  was  now  the  effect  produced  by  the  advance 
of  our  party  from  the  Palatinate.  Father  Arnolph 
gave  the  lead,  and  the  powerful  lungs  of  Heinrich 
and  the  smith,  though  much  restrained,  uttered  the 
words  in  tones  impressively  deep  and  audible.  The 
response  of  the  women  was  tremulous,  soft,  and 
soothing.  In  this  manner  did  they  proceed  for  a 
mile,  when  they  entered  the  street  of  the  hamlet. 

An  express  had  announced  to  the  community  of 
Einsiedlen  the  approach  of  the  German  penitents. 
By  a  singular  perversion  of  the  humble  doctrines 
of  the  founder  of  the  religion,  far  more  importance 
was  attached  to  the  expiations  and  offerings  of 
princes,  and  of  nobles  of  high  degree,  than  to  those 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  379 

which  proceeded  from  sources  that  were  believed  to 
be  meaner.  All  the  dwellers  of  the  hamlet,  there 
fore,  and  most  of  the  others  that  frequented  the 
shrine,  were  abroad  to  witness  this  expected  pro 
cession.  The  name  of  Emich  was  whispered  from 
ear  to  ear,  and  many  curious  eyes  sought  the  form 
of  the  powerful  baron,  under  the  guise  common  to 
the  whole  party.  By  general  consent,  after  much 
speculation,  the  popular  opinion  settled  on  the  per 
son  of  the  smith,  as  on  the  illustrious  penitent;  a 
distinction  which  Dietrich  owed  to  the  strength  of 
his  lungs,  to  some  advantage  in  stature,  and  par 
ticularly  to  the  zeal  which,  as  a  hireling,  he  thought 
it  just  to  throw  into  his  air  and  manner. 

Among  the  other  traditions  that  serve  to  give  a 
popular  celebrity  to  the  shrine  of  our  Lady  of  the 
Hermits,  is  one  which  affirms  that,  on  an  occasion 
it  is  unnecessary  to  relate,  the  Son  of  God,  in  the 
form  of  main,  visited  this  favored  shrine.  He  is 
said  to  have  assuaged  his  thirst  at  the  fountain 
which  flows,  with  Swiss  purity  and  profusion,  before 
the  door  of  the  building ;  and  as  the  clear  element 
has  been  made  to  run  through  different  metal  tubes, 
it  is  a  custom  of  the  Pilgrims,  as  they  arrive,  to 
drink  a  hasty  swallow  at  each,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  virtue  of  a  touch  so  revered.  There  was  also 
a  plate  of  silver,  that  had  marks  which  were  said 
to  have  been  left  by  the  fingers  of  Jesus,  and  to 
these  it  was  the  practice  to  apply  the  hand.  The 
former  usage  is  still  universal ;  though  modern  cu 
pidity  has  robbed  the  temple  of  the  latter  evidence 
of  the  reputed  visit,  in  consequence  of  the  value  of 
the  metal  which  bore  its  memorial. 

Arnolph  halted  at  the  fountain,  and,  slowly  making 
its  circuit,  drank  at  each  spout.  He  was  followed 
by  all  of  his  companions.  But  he  passed  the  silver 
plate,  and  entered  the  building,  praying  aloud  until 
his  foot  was  on  the  threshold.  Without  stopping 


380  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

he  advanced  and  knelt  on  the  cold  stones  before  the 
shrine,  fastening  his  eye  the  whle  on  the  carved 
image  of  Mary.  The  others  imitated  his  move 
ments,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  all  were  kneeling 
before  the  far-famed  chapel  of  the  Divine  Conse 
cration. 

The  ancient  church  of  Einsiedlen  (for  the  building 
has  since  been  replaced  by  another  still  larger  and 
more  magnificent)  had  been  raised  around  the  spot 
where  the  cell  of  Saint  Meinard  originally  stood. 
The  chapel  reputed  to  have  been  consecrated  by 
angels,  was  in  this  revered  cell,  and  the  whole  stood 
in  the  centre  of  the  more  modern  edifice.  It  was 
small,  in  comparison  with  the  pile  which  held  it,  but 
of  sufficient  size  to  admit  of  an  officiating  priest, 
and  to  contain  many  rich  offerings  of  the  pious. 
The  whole  was  encased  in  marble,  blackened  by 
time  and  the  exhalations  of  lamps ;  while  the  front, 
and  part  of  the  sides,  permitted  a  view  of  the  inte 
rior,  through  openings  that  were  protected  by  gra 
tings  curiously  and  elaborately  wrought. 

In  the  farther  and  dark  extremity  of  this  sacred 
chapel,  were  the  images  of  the  Mother  and  Child. 
Their  dresses,  as  is  usual  at  all  much-worshipped 
shrines,  were  loaded  with  precious  stones  and  plates 
of  gold.  The  face  of  each  had  a  dark  and  bronzed 
color,  resembling  the  complexion  of  the  far  east, 
but  which  probably  is  a  usage  connected  with  the 
association  of  an  origin  and  destiny  that  are  super 
human.  The  whole  was  illuminated  by  strong  lights, 
in  lamps  of  silver-gilt,  and  the  effect,  to  a  mind  in 
disposed  to  doubt,  was  impressive,  and  of  a  singu 
larly  mysterious  influence.  Such  was  the  shrine  of 
our  Lady  of  the  Hermits  at  the  time  of  our  tale, 
and  such  it  continues  to  be  to  this  day,  with  some 
immaterial  additions  and  changes,  that  are  more  the 
results  of  time  than  of  opinion. 

We  have  visited  this  resort  of  Catholic  devotion 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  381 

'n  that  elevated  region  of  hill  and  frost ;  have  stroll 
ed,  near  the  close  of  day,  among  its  numerous  and 
decorated  chapels ;  have  seen  the  bare-kneed  pea 
sant  of  the  Black  Forest,  the  swarthy  Hungarian, 
the  glittering-eyed  Piedmontese,  and  the  fair-haired 
German,  the  Tyrolese,  and  the  Swiss,  arrive,  in 
groups,  wearied  and  foot-sore ;  have  watched  them 
drinking  with  holy  satisfaction  at  the  several  spouts, 
and,  having  followed  them  to  the  front  of  the  altar, 
have  wondered  at  the  statue-like  immovability  with 
which  they  have  remained  kneeling,  without  chang 
ing  their  gaze  from  that  of  the  unearthly  looking 
image  that  seemed  to  engross  their  souls.  Curiosity 
led  us  to  the  spot  alone,  and  at  no  moment  of  a  pil 
grimage  in  foreign  lands,  that  has  now  extended  to 
years,  do  we  remember  to  have  felt  so  completely 
severed  from  all  to  which  we  were  most  accustom 
ed,  as  at  that  hour.  The  groups  arrived  in  scores, 
and,  without  pausing  to  exchange  a  greeting,  with 
out  thought  of  lodging  or  rest,  each  hurried  to  the 
shrine,  where  he  seemed  embodied  with  the  stone 
of  the  pavement,  as,  with  riveted  eye  and  abased 
mien,  he  murmured  the  first  prayers  of  expiation 
before  the  image  of  Mary. — But  to  return  to  the 
narrative. 

For  the  first  hour  after  the  arrival  of  the  expected 
pilgrims  of  Deurckheim,  not  a  sign  of  recognition, 
or  of  grace,  was  manifested  in  the  convent.  The 
officials  came  and  went,  as  if  none  but  of  common 
character  made  their  expiations ;  and  the  fixed  eye 
and  swarthy  face  of  the  image  seemed  to  return 
each  steady  gaze,  with  supernatural  tranquillity.  At 
length  Arnolph  arose,  and,  as  if  his  movements  were 
watched,  a  bell  rang  in  a  distant  aisle.  A  lateral 
door,  which  communicated  with  the  conventual 
buildings,  opened,  and  the  whole  brotherhood  issued 
through  it  into  the  body  of  the  church.  Arnolph 
immediately  kneeled  again,  and,  by  a  sign,  com 


382  i«HK  HElDENMATjEK. 

manded  his  companions  to  maintain  their  places. 
Though  grievously  wearied  with  their  positions,  the 
men  complied,  but  neither  of  the  females  had  yet 
stirred. 

The  Benedictines  of  Einsiedlen  entered  the  church 
in  the  order  that  has  been  already  described  in  th 
processions  of  Limburg.     The  junior  monks  cam 
first,  and  the  dignitaries  last.     In  that  age,  thei 
Abbot  was  commonly  of  a  noble  and  ancient,  and 
sometimes  of  a  princely  house;  for,  in  maintaining 
its  influence,  the  Church  has  rarely  been  known  to 
overlook  the  agency  of  those  opinions  and  prejudices 
that  vulgarly  exist    among   men.     In  every   case, 
nowever,  the  prelate  who  presided  over  this  favored 
community,  possessed,  in  virtue  of  his  office,  the  lat 
ter   temporal  distinction;    being  created  a  mitred 
Abbot,  and  a  Prince  of  the  Empire,  on  the  day  of 
his  consecration. 

During  the  slow  advance  of  the  long  line  of  monks, 
that  now  drew  near  the  shrine,  there  was  a  chant 
in  the  loft,  and  the  deep  organ  accompanied  the 
words,  on  a  low  key.  Even  Albrecht  and  the  Abbe 
were  much  impressed,  while  Emich  fairly  trembled, 
like  one  that  had  unwittingly  committed  himself  into 
the  hands  of  his  enemies. 

The  head  of  the  train  swept  round  the  little 
chapel,  and  passed  with  measured  steps  before  the 
pilgrims.  The  Prior  and  the  females  only  prayed 
the  more  devoutly,  but  neither  the  Count  nor  the 
Burgomaster  could  prevent  their  truant  eyes  from 
watching  the  movement.  Dietrich,  little  schooled  in 
his  duties,  fairly  arose,  and  stood  repeating  rever 
ences  to  the  whole  fraternity,  as  it  passed.  When 
the  close  drew  near,  Emich  endeavored  to  catch  a 
glance  of  the  Abbot's  eyes,  hoping  to  exchange  one 
of  those  secret  signs  of  courtesy,  with  which  the 
initiated,  in  every  class  of  life,  know  how  to  express 
their  sympathies.  To  his  confusion,  and  slightly  to 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  383 

his  uneasiness,  he  saw  the  well-known  countenance 
of  Bonifacius,  at  the  side  of  the  dignitary  who  pre 
sided  over  the  brotherhood  of  Einsiedlen.  The 
glances  of  these  ancient  and  seemingly  irreconci 
lable  rivals,  were  such  as  might  have  been  antici 
pated.  That  of  Bonifacius  was  replete  with  religious 
pride,  and  a  resentment  that  was  at  least  moment 
arily  gratified ;  though  it  still  retained  glimmerings 
of  conscious  defeat;  while  that  of  Emich  was 
fierce,  mortified,  and  alarmed,  all  in  a  moment. 

But  the  train  swept  on,  and  it  was  not  long  ere 
the  music  announced  the  presence  of  the  procession 
in  the  choir.  Then  Arriolph  again  arose,  and,  fol 
lowed  by  all  the  pilgrims,  he  drew  near  to  listen  to 
^he  vespers.  After  the  prayers,  the  usual  hymn  was 
sung. 

"  Himmel !  master  brother  Pilgrim,"  whispered 
the  smith  to  the  Burgomaster,  "that  should  be  a 
voice  known  to  all  of  Deurckheim  !" 

"  Umph !" — ejaculated  Heinrich,  who  sought  the 
/e  of  Emich.  "  These  Benedictines  sing  much  in 
le  same  strain,  Herr  Emich,  whether  it  be  in  Lim- 
burg,  or  here  in  the  church  of  our  Lady  of  the 
Hermits." 

"  By  my  fathers !  master  Frey,  but  thou  sayest 
true  !  To  treat  thee  as  a  confidant,  I  little  like  this 
intimate  correspondence  between  the  Abbots,  and, 
least  of  all,  to  see  the  reverend  Bonifacius  enthroned 
here,  in  this  distant  land,  much  as  he  was  wont  to 
be  in  our  valley.  I  fear  me,  Burgomaster,  that  we 
have  entered  lightly  on  this  penance  !" 

"  If  you  can  say  this,  well-born  Emich,  what 
should  be  the  reply  of  one  that  hath  wife  and  child, 
in  addition  to  his  own  person,  in  the  risk?  It  would 
have  been  better  to  covet  less  of  Heaven,  the  least 
portion  of  which  must  naturally  be  better  than  the 
best  of  that  to  wrhich  we  are  accustomed  on  earth, 
and  to  be  satisfied  with  the  advantages  we  have 


384  THE  HEIDEJNMAUKR. 

Do  you  note,  noble  Count,  the  friendly  manner  in 
which  Bonifacius  regards  us,  from  time  to  time  ?" 

"  His  favors  do  not  escape  me,  Heinrich  ;—  but 
peace !  we  shall  learn  more,  after  the  vespers  are 
ended." 

Then  came  the  soothing  power  of  that  remarkable 
voice.  The  singer  had  been  presented  to  the  con 
vent  of  Einsiedlen,  by  Bonifacius,  to  whom  he  was 
now  useless,  as  a  boon  that  was  certain  to  give  him 
great  personal  favor:  and  so  it  had  proved;  for  in 
those  communities,  that  passed  their  lives  in  the  ex 
ercise  of  the  offices  of  the  Church,  the  different 
shades  of  excellence  in  the  execution,  or  the  greater 
external  riches  and  decorations  of  their  several 
shrines,  often  usurped  the  place  of  a  nobler  strife  in 
zeal  and  self-denial.  The  ceremony  now  ended,  and 
a  brother  approaching  whispered  Father  Arnolph. 
The  latter  proceeded  to  the  sacristy,  attended  by 
the  pilgrims,  for  it  was  forbidden,  even  to  the  trem 
bling  Meta,  to  seek  refreshment  or  rest,  until  another 
important  duty  had  been  performed. 

The  sacristy  was  empty,  and  they  awaited  still 
in  silence,  while  the  music  of  the  organ  announced 
the  retiring  procession  of  the  monks.  After  some 
delay,  a  door  opened,  and  the  Abbot  of  Einsiedlen, 
accompanied  by  Bonifacius,  appeared.  They  were 
alone,  with  the  exception  of  the  treasurer  of  the 
Abbey ;  and  as  the  place  was  closed,  the  interview 
that  now  took  place,  was  no  longer  subject  to  the 
vulgar  gaze. 

"  Thou  art  Emich,  Count  of  Hartenburg-Leinin- 
gen,"  said  the  prelate,  distinguishing  the  noble,  spite 
of  his  mean  attire,  by  a  single  glance  of  an  eye  ac 
customed  to  scan  its  equals ; — "  a  penitent  at  our 
shrine,  for  wrongs  done  the  Church,  and  for  dishonor 
to  God?" 

"  I  am  Emich  of  Leiningen,  holy  Abbot !" 

"Dost  thou  disclaim  the  obligation  to  be  here?' 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  385 

"And  a  penitent; — "  the  words  "for  being  here" 
being  bitterly  added,  in  a  mental  reservation. 

The  Abbot  regarded  him  sternly,  for  he  disliked 
the  reluctance  of  his  tongue.  Taking  Bonifacius 
apart,  they  consulted  together  for  a  few  minutes ; 
then  returning  to  the  group  of  pilgrims,  he  resumed — 

"  Thou  art  now  in  a  land  that  listeneth  to  no  here 
sies,  Herr  von  Hartenburg ;  and  it  would  be  wel 
to  remember  thy  vow,  and  thy  object.  Hast  thou 
aught  to  say  ?" 

Emich  slowly  undid  his  scrip,  and  sought  his 
offerings  among  its  scanty  contents. 

"This  crucifix  was  obtained  by  a  noble  of  my 
house,  when  a  crusader.  It  is  of  jasper,  as  thou 
seest,  reverend  Abbot,  and  it  is  not  otherwise  want 
ing  in  valuable  additions." 

The  Abbot  bowed,  in  the  manner  of  one  indiffer 
ent  to  the  richness  of  the  boon,  signing  to  the  trea 
surer  to  accept  the  gift.  There  was  then  a  brief 
pause. 

"This  censer  was  the  gift  of  a  noble  far  less 
possessed  than  thee !"  said  he  who  kept  the  treasures 
of  the  Abbey,  with  an  emphasis  that  could  not  easily 
be  mistaken. 

"  Thy  zeal  outstripped  the  limbs  of  a  weary  man, 
brother. — Here  is  a  diamond,  that  hath  been  heir 
loom  of  my  house,  a  century.  'T  was  an  emperor's 
gift!" 

"  It  is  well  bestowed  on  our  Lady  of  the  Her 
mits  ;  though  she  can  boast  of  far  richer  offerings 
from  names  less  known  than  thine." 

Emich  now  hesitated,  but  only  for  an  instant, 
and  then  laid  down  another  gift. 

"  This  vessel  is  suited  to  thy  offices,"  he  said, 
"  being  formed  for  the  altar's  services." 

"  Lay  the  cup  aside ;"  sternly  and  severely  inter 
rupted  Bonifacius:  "it  coroeth  of  Limburg  !" 


386  THE  HE1DENMAUEH. 

Emich  colored,  more  in  anger  than  in  shame, 
however,  for  in  that  age  plunder  was  one  of  the 
speediest  and  most  used  means  of  acquiring  wealth, 
He  eyed  the  merciless  Abbot,  fiercely,  but  without 
speaking. 

"  I  have  no  more,"  he  said ;  "  the  wars — the 
charges  of  my  house — and  gold  given  the  routed 
brotherhood,  have  left  me  poor !" 

The  treasurer  turned  to  Heinrich,  with  an  elo 
quent  expression  of  countenance. 

"  Thou  wilt  remember,  master  Treasurer,  that 
there  is  no  longer  any  question  of  a  powerful  baron," 
said  the  Burgomaster,  "but  that  the  littie  I  have  to 
give,  cometh  of  a  poor  and  saddled  town.  First 
we  offer  our  wishes  and  our  prayers, — secondly,  we 
present,  in  all  humility,  and  with  the  wish  they  may 
prove  acceptable,  these  spoons,  which  may  be  of 
use  in  some  of  thy  many  ceremonies, — thirdly,  this 
candlestick,  which  though  small  is  warranted  to  be 
of  pure  gold,  by  jewellers  of  Frankfort : — and  lastly, 
this  cord,  with  which  seven  of  our  chief  men  have 
grievously  and  loyally  scourged  themselves,  in  re 
paration  of  the  wrong  done  thy  brethren." 

All  these  offerings  were  graciously  received,  and 
the  monk  turned  to  the  others.  It  is  unnecessary  to 
repeat  the  different  donations  that  were  made  by 
the  inferiors,  who  came  from  the  castle  and  the 
town.  That  of  Gottlob  was,  or  pretended  to  be, 
the  offending  horn,  which  had  so  irreverently  been 
sounded  near  the  altar  of  Limburg,  and  a  piece  of 
gold.  The  latter  was  the  identical  coin  he  had  ob 
tained  from  Bonifacius,  in  the  interview  which  led 
to  his  arrest ;  and  the  other  was  a  cracked  instru 
ment,  that  the  roguish  cow-herd  had  often  essayed 
among  his  native  hills,  without  the  least  success. 
In  after  life,  when  the  spirit  of  religious  party  grew 
bolder,  he  often  boasted  of  the  manner  in  which  lit 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  387 

had  tricked  the  Benedictines  by  bestowing  an  in 
strument  so  useless. 

Ulrike  made  her  offering,  with  sincere  and  meek 
penitence.  It  consisted  of  a  garment  for  the  image 
of  the  Virgin,  which  had  been  chiefly  wrought  by 
her  own  fair  hands,  and  on  which  the  united  tributes 
of  her  townswomen  had  been  expended,  in  the  way 
of  ornaments,  and  in  stones  of  inferior  price.  The 
gift  was  graciously  received;  for  the  community 
had  been  well  instructed  in  the  different  characters 
of  the  various  penitents. 

"  Hast  thou  aught  in  honor  of  Maria  ?"  demanded 
the  treasurer  of  Lottchen. 

The  widowed  and  childless  woman  endeavored 
to  speak,  but  her  power  failed  her.  She  laid  upon 
the  table,  however,  a  neatly  bound  and  illuminated 
missal;  a  cap  that  seemed  to  have  no  particular 
value,  except  its  tassel  of  gold  and  green,  and  a 
hunting  horn  ;  all  of  which,  with  many  others  of  the 
articles  named,  had  made  part  of  the  load  borne  on 
the  furniture  of  the  ass. 

"  These  are  unusual  gifts  at  our  shrine !"  muttered 
the  monk. 

"  Reverend  Benedictine,"  interrupted  Ulrike, 
nearly  breathless  in  the  generous  desire  to  avert 
pain  from  her  friend,  "  they  are  extorted  from  her 
who  gives,  like  drops  of  blood  from  the  heart.  This 
is  Lottchen  Hintermayer,  of  whom  thou  hast  doubt 
less  heard  ?" 

The  name  of  Lottchen  Hintermayer  had  never 
reached  the  treasurer's  ear ;  but  the  sweet  and  per 
suasive  manner  of  Ulrike  prevailed.  The  monk 
bowed,  and  he  seemed  satisfied.  The  next  that  ad 
vanced  was  Meta.  The  Benedictines  all  appeared 
•truck  by  the  pallid  color  of  her  cheek,  and  the  va 
cant,  hopeless,  expression  of  an  eye  that  had  lately 
been  so  joyous. 

"  The  journey  hath  been  hard  upon  our  daugh- 


388  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

ter !"  said  the  princely  Abbot,  with  gentleness  and 
concern. 

"  She  is  young,  reverend  Father,"  answered  Ul- 
rike  ;  "  but  God  will  temper  the  wind  to  the  shorr 
lamb." 

The  Abbot  looked  surprised,  for  the  tones  of  the 
mother  met  his  ear  with  an  appeal  as  touching  as 
that  of  the  worn  countenance  of  the  girl. 

"  Is  she  thy  child,  good  pilgrim  T9 

"  Father,  she  is — Heaven  make  me  grateful,  for 
its  blessed  gift !" 

Another  gaze  from  the  wondering  priest,  and  he 
gave  place  to  the  treasurer,  who  advanced  to  receive 
the  offering.  The  frame  of  Meta  trembled  violently, 
and  she  placed  a  hand  to  her  bosom.  Drawing  forth 
a  paper,  she  laid  it  simply  before  the  monk,  who 
gazed  at  it  in  wonder. 

"  What  is  this  ?"  he  asked.  "  It  is  the  image  of  a 
youth,  rudely  sketched !" 

"  It  meaneth,  Father,"  half  whispered  Ulrike, 
"  that  the  heart  which  loved  him,  now  belongs  to 
God  !" 

The  Abbot  bowed,  hastily  signing  to  the  inferior 
to  accept  the  offering;  and  he  walked  aside  to  con 
ceal  a  tear  that  started  to  his  eye.  Meta  at  that 
moment  fell  upon  her  mother's  breast,  and  was  borne 
silently  from  the  sacristy. 

The  men  followed,  and,  with  a  single  exception, 
the  two  Abbots  and  the  Treasurer  were  now  left 
alone. 

"  Hast  thou  an  offering,  good  woman  ?"  demanded 
the  latter  of  the  female  who  remained. 

"  Have  I  an  offering,  Father  !  Dost  think  I  would 
come  thus  far  with  an  empty  hand  ?  I  am  Use,  Frau 
Frey's  nurse,  that  Deurckheim  hath  sent  on  this  pil 
grimage,  as  an  offering  in  herself;  and  such  it  truly 
is  for  frail  bones,  and  threescore  and  past.  We  are 
but  poor  town's-people  of  the  Palatinate,  but  then 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

we  know  what  is  available  at  need!  There  are 
many  reasons  why  I  should  come,  as  thou  shalt  hear. 
Firstly,  I  was  in  Limburg  church,  when  the  deed 
was" 

"  How !  did  one  of  thy  years  go  forth  on  such  an 
expedition  ?" 

"  Ay,  and  on  many  other  expeditions.  Firstly,  I 
was  with  the  old  Burgomaster,  Frau  Ulrike's  father 
when  there  was  succor  sent  to  Mannheim ;  secondly, 
I  beheld,  from  our  hills,  the  onset  between  the  Elec 
tor's  men,  and  the  followers  of" 

"  Dost  thou  serve  the  mother  of  yonder  weeping 
girl  ?"  demanded  the  Abbot,  cutting  short  the  history 
of  Use's  campaigns. 

"  And  the  weeping  girl  herself,  reverend,  and  holy 
and  princely  Abbot,  and,  if  thou  wilt,  the  Burgo 
master  too ,  for,  at  times,  in  sooth,  I  serve  the  whole 
family  " 

"  Canst  thou  repeat  the  history  of  ner  sorrow?" 

"  Naught  easier,  my  lord  and  Abbot.  Firstly,  is 
she  youthful,  and  that  is  an  age  when  we  grieve  or 
are  gladdened  with  little  reason ;  then  she  is  an  only 
child,  which  is  apt  to  weaken  the  spirit  by  indul 
gence ;  next,  she  is  fair,  which  often  tempts  the 
heart  into  various  vanities,  and,  doubtless,  into  sor 
row,  among  the  others ;  then  is  she  foot-sore,  a  bit 
ter  grief  of  itself;  and,  finally,  she  hath  much  re 
pentance  for  this  nefarious  sin,  of  which  we  are  not 
yet  purged,  and  which,  unless  pardoned,  may  descend 
to  her,  among  other  bequests  from  her  father." 

"  It  is  well.  Deposit  thy  gift,  and  kneel  that  I  may 
bless  thee." 

Use  did  as  ordered,  after  which  she  withdrew, 
making  many  reverences  in  the  act. 

As  the  door  closed  on  the  crone,  Bonifacius  and 
his  brother  Abbot  quitted  the  place  in  company 
leaving  the  monk  charged  with  that  duty,  to  care 
for  the  wealth  that  had  been  so  liberally  added  to 
the  treasury  of  Einsiedlen. 


890  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTEE  XXYI. 

— "  Israel,  are  these  men 

The  mighty  hearts  you  spoke  of?" 

BYRON. 

THERE  was  little  resemblance  in  the  characters 
of  the  two  prelates,  beyond  that  which  was  the  cer 
tain  consequence  of  their  common  employment.  If 
Bonifacius  was  the  most  learned,  of  the  strongest 
intellectual  gifts,  and,  in  other  particulars  relating  to 
the  mind,  of  the  higher  endowments,  the  princely 
Abbot  of  Einsiedlen  had  more  of  those  gentle  and 
winning  qualities  which  best  adorn  the  Christian 
life.  Perhaps  neither  was  profoundly  and  meekly 
pious,  for  this  was  not  easy  to  men  surrounded  by 
so  many  inducements  to  flatter  their  innate  weak 
nesses  :  but  both  habitually  respected  the  outward 
observances  of  their  Church ;  and  both,  in  degrees 
proportioned  to  the  boldness  and  sagacity  of  their 
respective  intellects,  yielded  faith  to  the  virtue  of  its 
offices. 

On  quitting  the  sacristy,  they  proceeded  through 
the  cloisters,  to  the  abode  of  the  chief  of  the  com 
munity.  Here,  closeted  together,  there  was  a  con 
sultation  concerning  their  further  proceedings. 

"  Thou  wert  of  near  neighborhood,"  said  he  of 
our  Lady  of  the  Hermits,  "to  this  hardy  baron, 
Brother  Bonifacius  ?" 

"  As  thou  mayest  imagine  by  the  late  events. 
There  lay  but  a  few  arrow's  flights  between  his 
castle  and  our  unhappy  walls." 

"  Had  ye  good  understanding  of  old,  or  cometh 
the  present  difficulty  from  long-standing  grievances?" 

"  Thou  art  happy,  pious  Rudiger,  to  be  locked,  as 
you  are,  among  your  frosts  and  mountains,  beyond 
the  reach  of  noble's  arm,  and  beyond  the  desires  of 
noble's  ambition.  Limburg  and  the  craving  Counts 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  391 

ii*ve  scarce  known  peace  since  our  Abbey's  found 
ation.  Your  unquiet  baron  fills  some  such  agency, 
,n  respect  to  our  religious  communities,  as  that 
which  the  unquiet  spirit  of  the  Father  of  Sin  occu 
pies  in  the  moral  world." 

"  And  yet,  I  doubt  that  the  severest  blow  we  are 
to  receive  will  come  from  one  of  ourselves  !  If  all  that 
rumor  and  missives  from  the  Bishops  reveal,  be  true, 
this  schism  of  Luther  promises  us  a  lasting  injury!" 

Bonifacius,  whose  mind  penetrated  the  future 
much  farther  than  most  of  his  brethren  possessed 
the  means  of  doing,  heard  this  remark  gloomily; 
ind  he  sat  brooding  over  the  pictures  which  a  keen 
magination  presented,  while  his  companion  watched 
the  play  of  his  massive  features,  with  intuitive 
interest. 

"  Thou  art  right,  princely  Abbot,"  the  former  at 
length  replied.  "  To  us,  both  the  future  and  the  past 
are  filled  with  lessons  of  deep  instruction,  could  we 
but  turn  them  to  present  advantage.  All  that  we 
know  of  earth  shows  that  each  physical  thing  re 
turns  to  its  elements,  when  the  object  of  its  creation 
has  been  accomplished.  The  tree  helps  to  pile  tho 
earth  which  once  nourished  its  roots;  the  rock 
crumbles  to  the  sand  of  which  it  was  formed ;  and 
even  man  turns  to  that  dust  which  was  animated 
that  he  might  live.  Can  we  then  expect  that  our 
Abbeys,  or  that  even  the  Church  itself,  in  its  present 
temporal  organization,  will  stand  for  ever  ?" 

"  Thou  hast  done  well  to  qualify  thy  words  by 
saying  temporal,  good  Bonifacius,  for  if  the  body 
decays,  the  soul  remains ;  and  the  essence  of  our 
communion  is  in  its  spiritual  character." 

"  Hearken,  right  reverend  and  noble  Rudiger 
Go  ask  of  Luther  the  niceties  of  h:s  creed  on  this 
point,  and  he  will  tell  thee,  that  he  is  a  believer  in 
the  transmigration  of  souls — that  he  keepeth  this 
spiritual  character,  but  in  a  new  dress ;  and  that, 


392  THE  HEIDEJNMAUER. 

while  he  consigns  the  ancient  body  to  the  tomb,  he 
only  lightens  the  imperishable  part  of  a  burthen  that 
has  grown  too  heavy  to  be  borne." 

"  But  this  is  rank  rebellion  to  authority,  and  flat 
refusal  of  doctrine !"  • 

"  Of  the  former,  there  can  be  no  question ;  and, 
as  to  our  German  regions,  most  seem  prepared  to 
incur  its  risks.  In  respect  to  doctrine,  learned  Ru- 
diger,  you  now  broach  a  thesis  which  resembles 
the  bells  in  your  convent  towers— on  which  there 
may  be  rung  endless  changes,  from  the  simple  chime 
to  a  triple-bob-major." 

"  Nay,  reverend  Bonifacius,  thou  treatest  a  grave 
subject  with  irreverent  levity.  If  we  are  to  tolerate 
these  innovations,  there  is  an  end  of  discipline ;  and 
I  marvel  that  a  dignified  priest  should  so  esteem 
them !" 

"  Thou  dost  me  injustice,  Brother ;  for  what  I 
urge  is  said  in  befitting  seriousness.  The  ingenuity 
of  man  is  so  subtle,  and  his  doubts,  once  engaged, 
so  restless,  that  when  the  barrier  of  discipline  is 
raised,  I  know  DO  conclusion  for  which  a  clever 
head  may  not  find  a  reason.  Has  it  never  struck 
thee,  reverend  Rudiger,  that  a  great  error  hath  been 
made  from  the  commencement,  in  founding  all  our 
ordinances  to  regulate  society,  whether  they  be  oi 
religious  or  of  mere  temporal  concerns?" 

"  Thou  asketh  this  of  one  who  hath  been  accus 
tomed  to  think  of  his  superiors  with  respect." 

"  I  touch  not  on  our  superiors,  nor  on  their  per 
sona1  qualities.  What  I  would  say  is,  that  our  the 
ories  are  too  often  faulty,  inasmuch  as  they  are 
made  to  suit  former  practices ;  whereas,  in  a  well- 
ordered  world,  methin-ks  the  theory  should  come 
first,  and  the  usage  follow  as  a  consequence  of 
suitable  conclusions." 

"  This  might  have  done  for  him  who  possessed 
Eden,  but  those  who  came  after  were  compelled  tc» 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  393 

receive  things  as  they  were,  and  to  turn  them  to 
profit  as  they  might." 

"  Brother  and  princely  Abbot,  thou  hast  grappled 
with  the  dilemma !  Could  we  be  placed  in  the  oc 
cupancy  of  this  goodly  heritage,  untrammelled  by 
previously  endeared  interests,  seeing  the  truth, 
naught  would  be  easier  than  to  make  practice  con 
form  to  theory ;  but,  being  that  we  are,  priest  and 
noble,  saint  and  sinner,  philosopher  and  worldling, 
why,  look  you,  the  theory  is  driven  to  conform  to 
the  necessities  of  practice ;  and  hence  doctrine,  at 
the  best,  is  but  a  convertible  authority.  As  a  Bene 
dictine,  and  a  lover  of  Rome,  I  would  that  Luther 
had  been  satisfied  with  mere  changes  in  habits,  for 
these  may  be  accommodated  to  climates  and  preju 
dices;  but  when  the  flood-gates  of  discussion  are 
raised,  no  man  can  say  to  what  extent,  or  in  what 
direction,  the  torrent  will  flow." 

"  Thou  hast  little  faith,  seemingly,  in  the  quality 
of  reason]" 

Bonifacius  regarded  his  companion  a  moment 
with  an  ill-concealed  sneer. 

"  Surely,  holy  Rudiger,"  he  gravely  replied,  "  thou 
hast  not  so  long  governed  thy  fellows  to  put  this 
question  to  me  !  Hadst  thou  said  passion,  we  might 
right  quickly  come  to  an  understanding.  The  corol 
laries  of  our  animal  nature  follow  reasonably  enough 
from  the  proposition ;  but  when  we  quit  the  visible 
land-marks  of  the  species,  to  launch  upon  the  ocean 
of  speculation,  we  commit  ourselves,  like  the  mari 
ner  who  trusts  his  magnet,  to  an  unknown  cause. 
He  that  is  a-hungered  will  eat,  and  he  that  is  pained 
will  roar;  he  that  hath  need  of  gold  will  rob,  in 
some  shape  or  other ;  and  he  that  loveth  his  ease 
may  prefer  quiet  to  trouble :  all  this  may  be  calcu 
lated,  with  other  inferences  that  follow ;  but  if  thou 
wilt  tell  me  what  course  the  Lammergeyer  will  take 


394  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

when  he  hath  soared  beyond  the  Alps,  I  will  teti 
thee  the  direction  in  which  the  mind  of  man  wiL 
steer,  when  fairly  afloat  on  the  sea  of  speculation 
and  argument." 

"  The  greater  the  necessity  that  it  should  be  held 
n  the  wholesome  limits  of  discipline  and  doctrine." 

"  Were  doctrine  like  our  convent  walls,  all  would 
oe  well;  but  being  what  it  is,  men  become  what 
they  are." 

"  How  !  Dost  thou  account  faith  for  naught  ?  I 
have  heard  there  were  brothers  of  deep  piety  in 
Limburg.  Father  Johan,  who  perished  in  defence 
of  thy  altars,  may  go  near  to  be  canonized — to  say 
nothing  of  the  excellent  Prior,  who  is  here  among 
us  on  this  pilgrimage." 

"  I  count  faith  for  much,  excellent  brother ;  and 
happy  is  he  who  can  satisfy  uneasy  scruples  by  so 
pleasant  an  expedient.  Brother  Johan  may  be  can 
onized,  if  our  Father  of  Rome  shall  see  fit,  here 
after,  and  the  fallen  Limburg  will  have  reason  to 
exult  in  its  member.  Still  I  do  not  see  that  the  un 
happy  Johan  proveth  aught  against  the  nature  of 
doctrine,  for,  had  he  been  possessed  of  less  pertina 
city  in  certain  of  his  opinions,  he  would  have  es 
caped  the  fate  which  befell  him." 

"  Is  martyrdom  a  lot  to  displease  a  Christian  ? 
Bethink  thee  of  the  Fathers,  and  of  their  ends  !" 

"  Had  Johan  bethought  him  more  of  their  fortunes, 
his  own  might  have  been  different.  Reverend  Ab 
bot,  Johan  hath  long  ceased  to  be  a  riddle  to  me; — 
though  I  deny  not  his  utility  with  the  peasant  and 
the  fervent.  But  him  thou  hast  last  mentioned" — 
here  Bonifacius  leaned  a  cheek  on  his  hand,  and 
spoke  like  one  that  was  seriously  perplexed — "  him 
thou  namedst  last — the  sincere,  and  wise,  and  sim 
ple  Arnolph,  have  I  never  truly  comprehended ! 
That  man  appeareth  equally  contented  in  his  eel  »r 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  395 

.n  his  stall ;  honored  equally  in  his  office,  and  on  this 
weary  pilgrimage ;  whether  in  prosperity  or  in  mis 
fortune,  he  is  ever  at  peace  with  himself  and  with 
others.  Here  is  truly  a  man  that  no  reasoning  of 
mine  hath  been  able  to  fathom.  He  is  not  ambitious, 
for  thrice  hath  he  refused  the  mitre  !  He  is  sustain 
ed  by  no  wild  visions  or  deceitful  fantasies,  like  the 
unhappy  Johan ;  nor  yet  is  he  indifferent  to  any  of 
the  more  severe  practices  of  his  profession,  all  of 
which  are  observed  quietly,  and  seemingly  with 
satisfaction.  He  is  learned,  without  the  desire  of  dis 
cussion  ;  meek,  amid  a  firmness  that  would  despise 
the  stake ;  and  forgiving  to  a  degree  that  might 
lead  us  to  call  him  easy,  but  for  a  consistency  that 
never  seemeth  to  yield  to  any  influence  of  season, 
events,  or  hopes.  Truly,  this  is  a  man  that  baffleth 
all  my  knowledge !" 

Bonifacius,  in  despite  of  his  acquirements,  his 
masculine  intellect,  and  his  acquaintance  with  men, 
did  not  perceive  how  much  he  admitted  against 
himself,  by  expressing  his  own  inability  to  fathom 
the  motives  of  the  Prior.  Nor  did  the  enigma  ap 
pear  to  be  perfectly  intelligible  to  his  companion, 
who  listened  curiously  to  the  other's  description  of 
their  brother ;  much  as  we  hearken  to  a  history  of 
inexplicable  or  supernatural  incidents. 

"  I  have  heard  much  of  Arnolph,"  observed  the 
latter,  "  though  never  matter  so  strange  as  this  ; — 
and  yet  most  seem  to  love  him  !" 

"  Therein  is  his  power  i — though  often  most  op 
posed  to  me,  I  cannot  say  that  I  myself  am  indiffer 
ent  to  the  man — By  our  patron  saint !    I  sometimes 
fain  believe  I  love  him  !    He  was  among  the  last  t 
desert  our  altars,  when  pressed  by  this  rapaciou 
noble,  and  his  credulous  and  silly  burghers  ;  and  yet 
was  he  foremost  to  forgive  the  injury  when  commit- 
ed.     But  for  him,  and  his  high  influence  with  the 


396  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Bishops,  there  might  have  been  blows  for  blows 
spite  of  this  schism  that  hath  turned  so  many  ii 
Germany  from  our  support." 

"And  since  thou  speakest  of  the  schism,  in  wha 
manner  dost  thou  account  for  an  innovation  so  hardy, 
in  a  region  that  is  usually  esteemed  reasonable? 
There  must  have  been  relaxation  of  authority ;  foi 
there  is  no  expedient  so  certain  to  prevent  heresies, 
or  errors  of  doctrine,  as  a  Church  well  established, 
and  which  is  maintained  by  fitting  authority." 

Bonifacius  smiled,  for  even  in  that  early  age,  his 
penetrating  mind  saw  the  fallacy  to  which  the  other 
was  a  dupe. 

"  This  is  well  when  there  is  right ;  but  when  there 
is  error,  brother,  your  established  authority  does  but 
uphold  it.  The  provisions  that  are  made  in  thy  com 
fortable  abode  to  keep  the  cold  air  out,  may  be  the 
means  of  keeping  foul  air  within." 

"  In  this  manner  of  reasoning,  troth  can  have  no 
existence  ! — Thou  dreadest  doctrine,  and  thou  wilt 
naught  of  discipline !" 

"  Nay,  holy  Rudiger,  in  the  latter  thou  greatly 
misconceiveth  me.  Of  discipline  I  would  have  all 
that  is  possible ;  I  merely  deny  that  it  is  any  pledge 
of  truth.  We  are  apt  to  say  that  a  well-ordained 
and  established  Church  is  the  buttress  of  truth,  when 
experience  plainly  showeth  that  this  discipline  doeth 
more  harm  to  truth,  than  it  can  ever  serve  it.  and 
that  simply  because  there  can  be  but  one  truth, 
while  there  are  many  modes  of  discipline;  many 
establishments  therefore  uphold  many  errors,  or  truth 
hath  no  identity  with  itself." 

"  Thou  surprisest  me ! — Whatever  may  come  of 
this  heresy,  as  yet,  I  know  of  but  one  assault  on  oui 
supremacy ;  and  that  cometh  of  error,  as  we  r»om« 
of  right." 

"  This  is  well  for  Christendom,  but  what  sayeth  il 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  397 

"or  your  Moslem — your  fire-worshipper — your  Hin 
doo — your  Pag-an,  and  all  the  rest;  any  one  of 
whom  is  just  as  ready  to  keep  out  error  by  disci 
pline,  as  we  of  Rome  ?  Until  now,  certainly  among 
Christians  this  evil  hath  not  often  happened,  though 
even  we  are  not  without  our  differences :  but  look 
ing  to  this  advance  of  the  printing  art,  and  of  the 
variety  of  opinions  that  are  its  fruits,  I  foresee  that 
we  are  to  have  many  opposing  expedients,  all  of 
which  will  be  equally  well  pondered  and  concocted 
to  keep  in  truth,  and  to  exclude  error.  This  preten 
sion  of  high  authority,  and  of  close  exactions  to 
maintain  purity  of  doctrine,  and  what  we  deem 
truth,  is  well,  as  the  jurists  say,  quoad  hoc;  but 
touching  the  general  question,  I  do  not  see  its  virtue. 
Now  that  men  enlist  with  passion  in  these  spiritual 
discussions,  we  may  look  to  see  various  modifica 
tions  of  the  Church,  all  of  which  will  be  more  or 
less  buttressed  by  human  expedients,  as  so  many 
preservatives  of  truth;  but  when  the  time  shall 
come  that  countries  and  communities  are  divided 
among  themselves  on  these  subtleties,  look  you,  ex 
cellent  Rudiger,  we  may  expect  to  shut  in  as  much 
error  by  our  laws  and  establishments,  as  we  shall 
shut  out.  I  fear  heaven  is  a  goal  that  must  be 
reached  by  a  general  mediation,  leaving  each  to 
give  faith  to  the  minor  points  of  doctrine,  according 
to  his  habits  and  abilities." 

"  This  savors  more  of  the  houseless  Abbot  than 
of  him  who  lately  had  an  obedient  and  flourishing 
brotherhood !"  Rudiger  somewhat  piquantly  rejoined. 

Bonifacius  was  unmoved  by  the  evident  allusion, 
egarding  his  companion  coolly,  and  like  a  man  who 
too  well  knew  his  own  superiority  easily  to  take  of- 
"ence.  His  reply,  however,  would  probably  have 
been  a  retort,  notwithstanding  this  seeming  modera 
tion,  had  not  a  door  opened,  and  Arnolph  quietly 
entered  the  room. 

2L 


398  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

The  reception  of  the  Prior,  by  his  two  mitred 
brethren,  proved  the  deep  respect  which  had  so 
universally  been  won  by  his  self-denying  qualities. 
In  the  great  struggle  of  the  conflicting  egotism 
which  composes,  in  a  great  degree,  the  principle 
of  most  of  the  actions  of  this  uneasy  world,  no  one 
s  so  likely  to  command  universal  esteem,  as  he  who 
appears  willing  to  bear  the  burthen  of  life,  with  as 
little  as  possible  of  its  visible  benefits,  by  withdraw 
ing  himself  from  the  arena  of  its  contentions.  In 
the  great  mass,  an  occasional  retreat  from  the  strug 
gle,  on  the  part  of  those  who  have  few  means  of 
success,  creates  but  little  feeling  of  any  sort,  per 
haps  ;  but  when  he  that  hath  undeniable  pretensions 
exhibits  this  forbearance,  he  may  be  certain  of  ob 
taining  full  credit  for  all  that  he  possesses,  and  more, 
even  to  the  admission  of  qualifications  that  would 
be  vehemently  denied  had  he  taken  a  different  atti 
tude,  in  respect  to  his  rivals.  Such  was,  in  some 
measure,  the  position  of  Father  Arnolph ;  and  Boni- 
facius  himself  never  struggled  to  resist  his  natural 
impulses  towards  the  pious  monk,  having  a  secret 
persuasion  that  none  of  his  virtues,  however  publicly 
proclaimed,  were  likely  to  militate  against  his  own 
interests. 

"  Thou  art  much  wearied,  holy  Prior,"  said  the 
Abbot  of  Einsiedlen,  offering  a  seat  to  his  visitor, 
with  assiduous  and  flattering  attention. 

"  I  count  it  not,  princely  Rudiger ;  having  light 
ened  the  way  with  much  good  discourse,  and  many 
prayers :  my  pilgrims  are  faint,  but,  happily  arrived, 
they  are  now  fairly  committed  to  the  convent's 
hospitality." 

"  Thou  hast  with  thee,  reverend  Arnolph,  a  noble 
of  high  esteem  in  thy  German  country?" 

"  Of  ancient  blood,  and  of  great  worldly  credit," 
returned  the  Prior,  with  reserve. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  399 

"What  thinkest  thou,  brother  Bonifacius  ? — It 
•nay  not  be  prudent  to  make  any  very  public  mani 
festations  of  a  difference  of  treatment,  between 
those  who  seek  our  shrine ;  but  do  not  hospitality, 
and  such  courtesy  as  marketh  our  own  breeding, 
demand  some  private  greetings.  Is  my  opinion 
suitable,  worthy  Arnolph  V9 

"  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  Abbot  of  Ein- 
siedlen." 

"  Can  any  know  this  better  than  ourselves  ? — 
But  we  pretend  not  to  perfection,  nor  can  our  judg 
ments  be  set  up  as  decisive  of  men's  merits,  farther 
than  belongs  to  our  office.  Ours  is  an  hospitable 
order,  and  we  are  privileged  to  earn  esteem,  and 
therefore  doth  it  appear  to  me  not  only  becoming 
but  politic  to  show  a  noble  of  this  repute,  and  at  a 
moment  when  heresy  runs  mad,  that  we  do  not 
overlook  the  nature  of  his  sacrifices.  Thou  art 
silent,  Brother  Abbot !" 

The  Abbot  of  Limburg  listened  with  secret  satis 
faction,  for  he  had  views  of  his  own  that  the  pro 
posal  favored.  He  was  therefore  about  to  give  a 
ready  assent,  when  Arnolph  interrupted  him. 

"  I  have  nobles  among  my  followers,  right  rever 
end  Abbots,"  said  the  latter  earnestly;  "and  I  have 
those  that  deserve  to  be  more  than  noble,  if  deep 
Christian  humility  can  claim  to  be  so  esteemed.  I 
did  not  come  to  speak  of  Emich  of  Hartenburg, 
but  of  spirits  sorely  bruised,  and  to  beg  of  thee,  in 
their  behalf,  a  boon  of  churchly  offices." 

"Name  it,  father,  and  make  certain  of  its  fail 
reception.  But  it  is  now  late,  and  no  rites  of  the 
morrow  need  defeat  our  intentions  of  honest  hos 
pitality." 

"  They,  in  ^vhose  behalf  I  would  speak,"  said 
Arnolph,  with  apparent  mortification,  "  are  already 
without;  if  admitted,  they  may  best  explain  then 
own  desires." 


400  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

The  Abbot  signified  a  ready  assent  to  receive 
these  visitors,  and  the  Prior  hastened  to  admit  them 
anticipating  a  wholesome  effect  on  the  minds  of  hi? 
superiors  from  the  interview.  When  he  reappeared, 
he  was  followed  by  Ulrike,  Lottchen,  and  Meta 
who  came  after  him  in  the  order  named.  Both  the 
Abbots  seemed  surprised,  for  it  exceeded  their  con 
fidence  in  themselves  to  admit  visitors  of  that  sex, 
at  an  hour  so  equivocal,  in  the  more  retired  parts  of 
the  buildings,  and  they  counted  little  on  the  boldness 
of  innocence. 

"  This  exceedeth  usage !"  exclaimed  the  superior 
of  Einsiedlen.  "  It  is  true,  we  have  our  privileges, 
pious  Arnolph,  but  they  are  resorted  to  with  great 
discretion." 

"  Fear  not,  holy  Abbot,"  Arnolph  calmly  answered; 
"  this  visit  may  at  least  claim  to  be  as  harmless  as 
that  of  those  thou  hast  just  named.  Speak,  virtuous 
Ulrike,  that  thy  wishes  may  be  known." 

Ulrike  crossed  herself,  first  casting  a  tearful  eye 
on  the  pallid  and  depressed  countenances  of  her 
daughter  and  of  her  friend. 

"  We  are  come  to  your  favored  shrine,  princely 
and  pious  Abbot,"  she  slowly  commenced,  like  one 
who  feared  the  effects  of  her  own  words,  "  penitents, 
pilgrims,  and  acknowledging  our  sins,  in  order  to 
expiate  a  great  wrong,  and  to  implore  Heaven's 
pardon.  The  accomplishment  of  our  wishes  hath 
been  promised  by  the  Church,  and  by  one  greater 
than  the  Church,  should  we  bring  with  us  contrite 
hearts.  In  this  behalf,  then,  we  have  now  little  to 
offer,  since  our  pious  guide,  the  beloved  and  instruct- 
ed  Arnolph,  hath  taught  us  to  omit  HO  observance 
nor  hath  he,  in  any  particular,  left  us  ignorant  of  the 
state  of  mind  that  best  befitteth  our  present  under 
taking.  But,  right  reverend  Abbot " 

"  Proceed,  daughter ;  thou  wilt  find  all  here  ready 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  401 

to  listen,"  said  Rudiger  kindly,  observing  that  her 
words  became  choked,  and  that  she  continued  to 
cast  uneasy  looks  at  Lottchen  and  Meta.  The  voice 
of  the  speaker  sank,  but  her  tones  were  still  more 
earnest,  as  she  continued. 

"  Holy  Benedictine,  aided  by  Heaven's  kindness,  I 
will.  In  all  that  toucheth  our  pilgrimage  and  its 
duties,  we  confide  entirely  to  the  pious  counsel  of 
the  learned  and  godly  Arnolph,  and  he  will  tell  you 
that  naught  material  hath  by  us  been  neglected.  We 
have  prayed,  and  confessed,  and  fasted,  and  done 
the  needed  expiations,  in  a  meek  mood,  and  with 
contrite  hearts.  We  come  then  to  ask  a  service  of 
this  favored  community,  which,  we  trust,  may  not 
be  refused  to  the  Christian." 

The  Abbot  looked  surprised,  but  he  awaited  her 
own  time  to  continue. 

"  It  hath  pleased  Heaven  to  call  away  one  dear 
to  us,  at  a  short  summons,"  proceeded  Ulrike,  not 
without  casting  another  fearful  glance  at  her  com 
panions  ;  "  and  we  would  ask  the  powerful  prayers 
of  the  community  of  our  Lady  of  the  Hermits,  in 
behalf  of  his  soul." 

"  Of  what  age  was  the  deceased  ?" 

'•  God  summoned  him,  reverend  Abbot,  in  early 
youth." 

"  By  what  means  did  he  come  to  his  end  ?" 

"  By  a  sudden  display  of  Heaven's  power." 

"  Died  he  at  peace  with  God  and  the  Church  ?" 

"Father,  his  end  was  sudden  and  calamitous. 
None  can  know  the  temper  of  the  mind  at  that  aw 
ful  moment." 

"  But  did  he  live  in  the  practices  of  our  faith? 
Thou  comest  of  a  region  in  which  there  is  much 
heresy,  and  this  is  an  hour  in  which  the  shepherd 
cannot  desert  the  fold." 

Ulrike  paused,  for  the  breathing  of  her  friend  was 
thick  and  audible. 

2L  2 


402  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Princely  Abbot,  he  was  a  Christian.  I  held  him 
myself  at  the  font.  This  humble  penitent  and  pil 
grim  gave  him  birth,  and  to  this  holy  Prior  hath  he 
often  confessed." 

The  Abbot  greatly  disliked  the  manner  of  the  an 
swers.  His  brow  drew  over  the  eyes,  and  he  turned 
jealous  glances  from  Arnolph  to  the  females. 

"  Canst  thou  vouch  for  thy  penitent  ?"  he  demand 
ed  abruptly  of  the  Prior. 

"  His  soul  hath  need  of  masses." 

"  Was  he  tainted  with  the  heresy  of  the  times  ?" 

Arnolph  paused.  His  mind  underwent  a  severe 
struggle,  for,  while  he  distrusted  the  opinions  of 
Berchthold,  he  knew  nothing  that  a  scrupulous  and 
conscientious  judge  could  fairly  construe  into  un 
equivocal  evidence  of  his  dereliction  from  the 
Church. 

"  Thou  dost  not  answer,  Prior  !" 

"  God  hath  not  gifted  me  with  knowledge  to  judge 
the  secret  heart." 

"  Ha  !  this  grows  plainer.  Reverend  Bonifacius, 
canst  thou  say  aught  of  this  ?" 

The  dethroned  Abbot  of  Limburg  had,  at  first, 
listened  to  the  dialogue  with  indifference.  There 
had  even  been  an  ironical  smile  on  his  lips  while  Ul- 
rike  was  speaking,  but  when  Arnolph  was  question 
ed,  it  disappeared  in  an  active  and  a  curious  desire 
to  know  in  what  manner  a  man  so  conscientious 
would  extricate  himself  from  the  dilemma.  Thus 
directly  questioned,  however,  he  found  himself 
obliged  to  become  a  party  in  the  discourse. 

"  I  well  know,  princely  and  pious  Rudiger,  that 
heresy  is  rife  in  our  misguided  Palatinate,"  he  an 
swered  ;  "  else  would  not  the  Abbot  of  Limburg  be 
a  houseless  guest  in  Einsiedlen." 

"  Thou  hearest,  daughter  !  The  youth  is  suspected 
of  having  died,  an  enemy  of  the  Church." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  403 

"The  greater  the  errors,  if  this  he  true,  the  greater 
the  need  that  prayers  be  offered  for  his  soul." 

"  This  would  be  truly  aiding  Lucifer  in  his  designs 
to  overturn  our  tabernacles,  and  a  weakness  not  to 
be  indulged.  I  am  grieved  to  be  compelled  to  show 
this  discipline  to  one  of  thy  seeming  zeal,  but  oui 
altars  cannot  be  defiled  by  sacrifices  in  behalf  of 
those  who  despise  them.  Was  the  youth  connected 
with  the  fall  of  Limburg  ?" 

"  Father,  he  died  in  the  crush  of  its  roofs,"  said 
Ulrike,  in  nearly  inaudible  syllables ;  "  and  we  deem 
the  manner  of  his  end  another  reason  why  extraor 
dinary  masses  should  be  said  in  his  behalf" 

"  Thou  askest  an  impossibility.  Were  we  to  yield 
to  our  pity,  in  these  cases  of  desperate  heresies,  it 
would  discourage  the  faithful,  and  embolden  those 
who  are  already  too  independent." 

"  Father !"  said  a  tremulous  and  low,  but  eager 
voice. 

"  What  wouldest  thou,  daughter  ?"  asked  the  Ab 
bot,  turning  to  Lottchen. 

"  Listen  to  a  mother's  prayer.  The  boy  was 
born  and  educated  in  the  bosom  of  the  Church.  For 
reasons  at  which  I  do  not  repine,  Heaven  early 
showed  its  displeasure  on  his  father  and  on  me.  We 
were  rich,  and  we  became  poor ;  we  were  esteem 
ed  of  men,  and  we  learned  how  much  better  is  the 
support  of  God.  We  submitted ;  and  when  we  saw 
those  who  had  once  looked  up  to  us  in  respect, 
looking  down  upon  us  in  scorn,  we  kissed  the  child, 
were  grateful,  and  did  not  repine.  Even  this  trial 
was  not  sufficient — the  father  was  taken  from  his 
pains  and  mortifications,  and  my  son  put  on  the 
livery  of  a  baron.  I  will  not  say — I  cannot  say — 
my  strength  would  have  been  equal  to  all  this  of  it 
self.  An  angel,  in  the  form  of  this  constant  and  ex 
celkmt  woman,  was  sent  to  sustain  me.  Until  the 
late  *vrong  to  Limburg,  we  had  our  hopes  and  our 


404  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

hours  of  happiness — but  that  crime  defeated  all.  My 
boy  hath  perished  by  a  just  anger,  and  I  remain  to 
implore  Heaven  in  his  behalf.  Wilt  thou  refuse  the 
Church's  succor  to  a  childless  mother,  who,  this  fa 
vor  obtained,  will  be  ready  to  bless  God  and  die  ?" 

"  Thou  troublest  me,  daughter ;  but  I  beg  thee  to 
remember  I  am-  but  the  guardian  of  a  high  and 
sacred  trust." 

"  Father !"  said  a  second  and  still  more  thrilling 
appeal. 

"  Thou  too,  child !  What  wouldest  thou  of  one 
but  too  ready  to  yield,  were  it  not  for  duty  ?" 

Meta  had  kneeled,  and  throwing  back  the  hood 
of  her  pilgrim's  mantle,  the  change  left  her  bloodless 
face  exposed  to  the  Abbot's  view.  The  girl  seemed 
severely  struggling  with  herself;  then,  finding  en 
couragement  in  her  mother's  eye,  she  was  able  to 
continue. 

"  I  know,  most  holy  and  very  reverend  Abbot," 
she  commenced,  with  an  evidently  regulated  phrase 
ology,  like  one  who  had  been  instructed  how  to 
make  the  appeal,  "that  the  Church  hath  need  of 
much  discipline;  without  which  there  would  be 
neither  duration  nor  order  in  its  existence.  This 
nath  my  mother  taught  me ;  and  we  both  admit  it, 
and  prize  the  truth.  For  this  reason  have  we  sub 
mitted  ourselves  to  all  its  ordinances,  never  failing 
to  confess  and  worship,  or  to  observe  fasts  ana 
saints'  days.  Even  the  mitred  Bonifacius,  there,  will 
not  deny  this,  as  respects  either  of  us " 

Meta  delayed,  as  if  inviting  the  Abbot  to  gainsay 
her  words  if  he  could ;  but  Bonifacius  was  silent. 

"As  for  him  that  hath  died,"  resumed  Meta, 
whose  voice  sounded  like  plaintive  music,  "  this  is 
the  truth.  He  was  born  a  Christian,  and  he  never 
said  aught  in  my  presence  against  the  Church.  Thou 
canst  not  think,  father,  that  he  who  sought  my  es 
teem,  would  strive  to  gain  it  by  means  that  no  Chris- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  405 

tian  girl  could  respect  ?  That  he  was  often  at  the 
Abbey  confessionals  I  know;  and  that  he  was  in 
favor  with  this  holy  Prior,  thou  hast  but  to  ask,  to 
learn.  In  going  against  Limburg,  he  did  but  obey 
his  lord,  as  others  have  often  done  before;  and 
surely  all  that  fall  in  battle  are  not  to  be  hopelessly 
condemned.  If  there  is  heresy  in  Germany,  is  it  not 
enough  of  itself  to  endure  so  great  a  danger  in  life, 
that  the  dead  must  be  abandoned  to  their  past  acts, 
without  succor  from  the  Church,  or  thought  from 
their  friends  ?  Oh  !  thou  wilt  think  better,  holy  but 
cruel  Rudiger,  of  thy  hasty  decision.  Give  us  then 
masses  for  poor  Berchthold  !  I  know  not  what  Boni- 
facius  may  have  said  to  thee  in  secret,  concerning 
the  youth,  but  this  much  would  I  say  in  his  favor,  in 
presence  of  the  assembled  earth — more  pious  son, 
more  faithful  follower,  a  braver  at  need,  a  more 
gentle  in  intercourse,  a  truer  or  kinder  heart  than 
his,  does  not  now  beat  in  the  Palatinate  !  I  know  not 
but  I  exceed  the  limits  of  a  maiden's  speech,  in  what 
I  say,"  continued  the  girl  ardently,  a  bright  spot 
shining  on  each  cheek  amid  her  tears,  "  but  the  dead 
are  mute,  and  if  those  they  loved  are  cold  to  their 
wants,  in  what  manner  is  Heaven  to  know  their 
cruel  need  ?" 

•'  Good  daughter,"  interrupted  the  Abbot,  who  be 
gan  to  feel  distressed,  "  we  will  think  of  this.  Go 
thou  to  thy  rest, — and  may  God  bless  thee !" 

"  Nay,  I  cannot  sleep  while  the  soul  of  Berchthold 
endures  this  jeopardy !  Perhaps  the  Church  will  de 
mand  penance  in  his  behalf.  My  mother  Lottchen 
is  no  longer  young  and  strong,  as  formerly;  but 
thou  seest,  father,  what  I  am !  Name  what  thou  wilt 
• — pilgrimages,  fasts,  stripes,  prayers,  or  vigils,  are 
alike  to  me.  Nay,  think  not  that  I  regard  them ! 
Thou  canst  not  bestow  more  happiness  than  to  give 
fois  task  for  poor  Berchthold's  sake.  Oh  !  hadst  thou 


406  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

known  him,  holy  Monk,  so  kind  with  the  weak,  so 
gentle  with  us  maidens,  and  so  true,  Ihou  wouldest 
not,  nay,  thou  couldest  not  need  another  prayer  to 
grant  the  masses  !" 

"  Bonifacius,  is  there  no  means  of  justifying  the 
concession  ?" 

"  I  would  speak  with  thee,  brother,"  answered  he 
of  Limburg,  who,  with  a  thoughtful  countenance, 
awaited  his  companion  a  little  apart  from  the  others. 

The  conference  of  the  two  prelates  was  short,  but 
it  was  decisive. 

"  Take  away  the  child,"  said  the  Abbot  Rudiger, 
to  Ulrike ;  "  the  weight  of  Heaven's  displeasure 
must  be  borne." 

The  Prior  sighed  heavily ;  but  he  signed  for  the 
females  to  obey,  like  one  who  saw  the  uselessness 
of  further  entreaties.  Leading  the  way,  he  left  the 
Abbot's  abode,  his  companions  following ;  nor  did  a 
murmur  escape  either,  while  giving  this  proof  of 
patient  submission  It  was  only  when  Ulrike  and 
Lottchen  had  reached  the  open  air,  that  they  found 
the  helpless  girl  they  supported  was  without  sensi 
bility.  As  fits  of  fainting  had  been  common  of  late, 
her  mother  felt  no  great  alarm,  nor  was  it  long  be 
fore  all  the  female  pilgrims  sought  the  pillows  they 
so  much  needed. 


THE  HE1DENMAUER.  407 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

"  Fy,  uncle  Beaufort !  I  have  heard  you  preach, 
That  malice  was  a  great  and  grievous  sin :" — 

King  Henry  VL 

THE  social  character  of  a  Benedictine  commu 
nity  has  been  mentioned  in  one  of  the  earlier  chap 
ters.  That  of  Einsiedlen,  though  charged  with  the 
worship  of  altars  especially  favored,  formed  no  ex 
ception  to  the  general  rule.  If  any  thing,  the  num 
ber  of  distinguished  pilgrims  that  frequented  its 
shrine,  rendered  it  liable  to  more  than  usual  demands 
on  its  hospitality ;  demands  that  were  met  by  a  suit 
able  attention  to  the  rules  of  the  brotherhood.  Even 
Loretto  has  its  palace  for  the  entertainment  of  such 
princes  as  can  descend  from  their  thrones  to  kneej 
in  the  '  santa  casa ;'  for  policy,  not  to  speak  of  a 
more  generous  motive,  requires  that  the  path  should 
be  smoothed  to  those  derotees  who  are  unaccustom 
ed  to  encounter  difficulties.  In  conformity  with  the 
rule  of  their  order,  then,  though  dwelling  in  the  se 
cluded  and  wild  region  already  described,  the  fra 
ternity  of  our  Lady  of  the  Hermits,  had  their  Ab 
bot's  abode,  their  lodgings  for  the  stranger,  and  their 
stores  of  cheer,  as  well  as  their  cells  and  their  relu 
gious  rites. 

It  was  about  three  hours  after  the  interview  re- 
lated  in  the  last  chapter — a  time  that  brings  us  near 
the  turn  of  the  night— that  we  shall  return  to  the 
narrative.  The  scene  is  a  banqueting-hall,  or,  to 
speak  in  more  measured  phrase,  a  private  refectory, 
in  which  the  princely  Abbot  was  wont  to  entertain 
those  in  whose  behalf  he  saw  sufficient  reasons  to 
exercise  more  than  ordinary  attention  and  favor. 
There  was  no  great  show  of  luxury  in  the  ordinary 
decorations  of  the  place,  for  a  useless  display  of  its 
means  formed  no  part  of  the  system  of  a  commu- 


408  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

nity  that  chiefly  existed  by  the  liberality  of  the  pious 
Still  the  hall  was  as  well  arranged  as  comported 
with  the  rude  habits  of  the  age,  in  that  secluded  re 
gion — habits  that  consulted  the  substantial  portion 
of  human  enjoyments  far  more  than  those  elaborate 
and  effeminate  inventions,  which  use  has  since  ren 
dered  nearly  indispensable  to  later  generations.  The 
floor  was  of  tile,  not  very  nicely  polished  ;  the  walls 
were  wainscoted  in  dark  oak ;  and  the  ceiling  had 
a  rude  attempt  to  represent  the  supper  given  at  the 
marriage  of  Cana,  and  the  miracle  of  the  wine. 
Notwithstanding  it  was  midsummer,  a  cheerful  fire 
blazed  in  a  chimney  of  huge  dimensions ;  the  size 
of  tne  apartment  and  the  keen  air  of  the  mountains 
rendering  such  an  auxiliary  not  only  agreeable,  but 
necessary.  The  board  was  spacious  and  well  cov 
ered,  offering  a  generous  display  of  those  healthful 
and  warm  liquors, .  which  have  so  long  given  the 
Rhine  additional  estimation  with  every  traveller  of 
taste. 

Around  the  table  were  placed  the  Abbot,  and  his 
unhoused  peer,  Bonifacius  ;  a  favorite  or  two  of  the 
community  of  Einsiedlen ;  with  Emich,  the  Knight 
of  Rhodes,  the  Abbe,  Heinrich  Frey,  and  the  smith. 
The  former  were  in  their  usual  conventual  robes ; 
while  the  latter  were  confounded,  so  far  as  externals 
were  concerned,  in  their  dresses  of  pilgrims.  Diet 
rich  owed  his  present  advantage  altogether  to  the 
fortuitous  circumstance  of  being  found  in  so  good 
company,  divested  of  the  usual  distinguishing  marks 
of  his  rank.  If  Bonifacius  was  at  all  aware  of  his 
character,  indifference  or  policy  prevented  its  ex 
posure. 

Had  one  been  suddenly  introduced  to  this  mid 
night  scene,  he  would  scarce  have  recognized  the 
weary  penitent  and  the  reproving  churchman,  in  the 
jovial  cheer  and  boon  companionship  of  the  hour. 
The  appetite  was  already  more  than  satisfied,  and 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  409 

<nany  a  glass  had  been  quaffed  in  honor  of  both 
hosts  and  guests,  ere  the  precise  moment  to  which 
we  transfer  the  action  of  the  tale. 

The  princely  prelate  occupied  the  seat  of  honor, 
as  became  his  high  rank,  while  Bonifacius  was 
seated  at  one  elbow,  and  the  Count  of  Hartenburg 
at  the  other.  The  great  consideration  due  to  the 
first,  as  well  as  his  personal  character  and  mild 
manners,  had  served  to  preserve  all  outward  ap 
pearances  of  amity  and  courteous  intercourse  be 
tween  his  neighbors,  neither  of  whom  had  as  yet 
suffered  the  slightest  intimation  of  their  former 
knowledge  of  each  other  to  escape  him.  This  polite 
duplicity,  which  we  have  reason  to  think  is  of  very 
ancient  origin,  and  in  which  Albrecht  of  Viederbach 
and  Monsieur  Latouche  assisted  with  rare  felicity, 
aided  in  curbing  the  feelings  of  their  inferiors,  who, 
being  less  trained  in  the  seemliness  of  deception, 
might  otherwise  have  given  vent  to  some  of  their 
bodily  pains,  by  allusions  of  an  irritating  and  ques 
tionable  nature. 

"  Thou  findest  our  liquors  palatable  ?"  courteous 
ly  observed  the  Abbot,  as  we  shall,  par  excellence, 
now  distinguish  him  of  Einsiedlen.  "  This  of  the 
silver  cup,  cometh  from  the  liberality  of  thy  late 
Elector,  who  had  occasion  to  send  votive  offerings, 
in  behalf  of  the  illness  of  one  of  his  family,  to  our 
Lady  of  the  Hermits,  and  who  had  the  grace  to 
accompany  the  memorial  to  the  convent  treasury 
by  this  sign  of  private  regard  ;  and  that  thou  seem- 
est  most  to  relish,  is  a  neighborly  boon  from  our 
brother  of  Saint  Gall,  than  whom  more  generous 
churchman  does  not  wear  a  cowl.  Thou  knowest, 
son,  that  the  matter  of  good  wine  hath  long  been 
the  subject  of  especial  care  with  that  thriving  bro 
therhood." 

"Thouoverratest  my  knowledge  of  history,  prince- 
y  Abbot,"  returned  Emich,  setting  down  the  glass, 
3M 


410  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

however,  in  a  manner  to  show  that  his  familiarity 
with  good  liquors  might  safely  be  assumed.  "  We 
of  the  lower  countries  waste  but  little  time  on  these 
studies,  trusting  chiefly  to  those  who  dwell  at  the 
universities  for  the  truth  of  what  we  hear.  If  he 
of  Saint  Gall  dispenseth  much  of  this  goodly  liquor, 
certes  it  were  well  that  our  spiritual  guardians 
sent  us,  on  occasions,  to  make  our  pilgrimages  in 
that  region,  which  cannot  be  far  from  this,  unless 
my  geography  is  greatly  in  fault." 

"Thou  couldest  not  have  better  divined,  hadst 
thou  been  a  doctor  of  Wittenberg,  or  of  Rome 
itself!  Considering  our  mountain  paths,  and  the 
insufficiency  of  the  bridges  and  other  conveniences, 
it  may  require  two  suns  to  urge  a  beast  from  our 
convent  gate  to  that  of  our  brother  of  Saint  Gall, 
though,  on  emergencies,  we  have  succeeded,  by 
means  of  faithful  footmen,  in  getting  tidings  to  their 
?ars  within  the  day  and  night.  Saint  Gall  is  a 
wealthy  and  well-bestowed  Abbey,  of  very  ancient 
existence,  and  of  much  repute  as  the  haven  of  let 
ters,  during  the  darkest  period,  learned  Bonifacius, 
of  our  more  modern  times ;  though  the  late  increase 
of  its  town,  and  the  growing  turbulence  of  the  times, 
have  not  permitted  it  to  escape,  with  impunity,  from 
the  dangers  that  now  beset  all  of  Rome." 

This  was  the  first  allusion  which  had  been  made 
to  the  events  that  had  so  singularly  brought  the 
present  company  together;  and,  but  for  the  address 
and  self-command  of  Bonifacius,  it  might  have 
brought  on  a  discussion  that  would  not  have  proved 
agreeable. 

"  Saint  Gall  and  its  merits  are  unknown  to  none 
who  wear  the  frock  of  Saint  Benedict,"  he  said, 
with  admirable  composure.  "Thou  hast  well  said 
that  its  walls  were,  for  many  ages,  the  sole  pro 
tectors  of  learning  in  our  Europe ;  for  without  the 
diligence  and  fidelity  of  its  Abbots  and  brotherhood, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  411 

much  that  is  now  preserved  and  prized  would  have 
been  irretrievably  lost  to  posterity  and  to  ourselves." 

"I  doubt  not,  reverend  Benedictine,"  observed 
Emich,  speaking  courteously  across  the  Abbot  to 
Bonifacius,  much  as  a  well-bred  guest  at  board 
addresses  a  convive  to  whom  he  is  otherwise  a 
stranger,  "  that  this  rare  taste  in  liquors,  of  which 
there  has  just  been  question,  is  the  fruit  of  the  ex 
cellent  knowledge  which  you  extol  ]" 

"  That  is  a  point  I  shall  not  hastily  decide,"  re 
turned  Bonifacius,  smiling.  "  It  may  be  so,  for  we 
have  accounts  of  sore  discord,  between  Saint  Gall 
and  others  even  of  the  Church,  touching  the  uses 
and  qualities  of  their  wines." 

"  That  have  we,  and  right  faithfully  recorded !" 
rejoined  the  Abbot.  "  There  was  the  war  between 
the  Prince  Bishop  of  Basle  and  our  brethren  of 
Saint  Gall,  that  led  to  sore  contentions  and  heavy 
losses." 

"  How !  did  the  desire  to  partake,  urge  our  Rhenish 
prelate  to  push  adventure  so  far,  as  to  come  this 
distance  in  quest  of  liquor  ?" 

"  Thou  art  in  error,  son  pilgrim,  concerning  the 
nature  of  Saint  Gall's  stores.  We  have  vineyards, 
it  is  true,  among  these  mountains,  as  witness  those 
on  the  shores  of  the  neighboring  lake  of  Zurich,  as 
well  as  others  that  might  be  named  ;  but  our  country 
wines  will  warm  the  blood  of  peasant  only.  He 
that  hath  tasted  better,  seldom  fills  his  cup  with 
riquor  that  comes  from  any  region  this  side  the 
farther  border  of  Swabia — your  vines  of  the  Rhein- 
gau  in  specialty;  whereas  the  territories  of  Saint 
Gall  lie  still  farther  from  those  favored  countries 
than  we  ourselves." 

"  You  have  need  to  explain,  princely  Abbot ;  for 
that  the  Baslois  should  come  in  our  direction,  in 
quest  of  good  liquor,  is  clear  enough,  whereas  the 
war  you  have  named,  would  have  sent  nim  farther 
fr°m  his  object." 


412  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Thou  hast  not  come  hither,  son,  without  mark 
ing  the  course  of  the  Rhine,  on  whose  banks  thou 
hast  so  long  journeyed.  This  great  stream,  though 
so  turbulent  and  dangerous  among  the  mountains, 
is  of  much  use  in  procuring  our  supplies.  By  means 
of  the  lake  of  Constance,  and  the  lower  river,  heavy 
burthens  arrive  at  the  very  territory  of  our  sister 
Abbey ;  and  the  dispute  to  which  there  has  been 
allusion,  came  of  the  fact  that  the  right  reverend 
prelate  of  Basle  would  fain  have  demanded  toll  on 
the  purchases  of  the  Abbey.  Thou  mayest  remem 
ber,  brother,1'  looking  towards  Bonifacius,  "that 
when  both  were  tired  of  blows,  the  good  Bishop 
sent  to  demand  *  What  the  Virgin  had  done,  that 
the  churchmen  above  should  slay  her  people  ?'  and 
that  he  received  for  a  merry  answer  the  question 
of,  '  What  has  Saint  Gall  done,  that  thou  shouldest 
stop  his  wines?'  ' 

The  listeners  laughed,  in  low  simpers,  like  men 
amused  with  this  characteristic  narrative;  for  such 
incidents  were  yet  too  recent  to  excite  much  other 
reflection,  even  among  churchmen,  than  what  was 
connected  with  the  vulgar  temporal  interests  of  the 
incident 

"  By  the  Magi !  holy  and  princely  Abbot,  thy 
tale  giveth  additional  flavor!"  said  Emich,  who 
greatly  enjoyed  the  quarrel;  "it  moreover  serveth 
to  shut  out  thoughts  that  come  from  aching  bones 
and  weary  feet." 

"  Thy  pilgrimage,  son,  will  bring  its  rewards,  as 
well  as  its  pains.  Should  it  be  a  means  of  remov 
ing  thee,  for  a  time,  from  the  heresies  of  Germany, 
and  of  placing  thee  and  thine  in  more  friendly  com 
munion  with  the  Church,  the  toil  will  not  be  lost." 

"  As  such  do  I  esteem  the  duty,"  returned  Emich, 
tossing  oflf  his  glass,  after  steadily  regarding  the 
liquor  a  moment  by  the  fire-light.  "  Saint  Gall  had 
the  right  of  the  matter;  and  he  who  would  not 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  413 

take  up  arms  for  this,  did  not  deserve  to  wear  them. 
How  now,  Herr  Frey  !  Thou  art  silent  ?" 

"Not  more  so,  I  trust,  nobly-born  Emich,  than 
becometh  one  on  a  pilgrimage ;  and  one  who  hath 
need  to  bethink  him  of  his  duties,  lest  his  town 
should  have  cause  to  reproach  him  with  negligence." 

"  God^s  truth,  Master  Burgomaster  !  If  any  here 
have  reason  to  bethink  them  of  Deurckheim,  it  is 
the  city's  sovereign  and  lord.  So  cheer  up,  and 
let  us  lighten  the  load  we  carry,  always  under  the 
favor  and  good  graces  of  this  hospitable  and  well- 
endowed  brotherhood." 

"  Thou  art  a  servitor  of  the  cross  ?"  demanded 
the  Abbot  of  Albrecht  of  Viederback,  beckoning 
the  Knight  to  come  nearer. 

"  An  indifferent  one,  princely  and  pious  Rudiger, 
and,  I  might  say,  one  that  hath  yielded  to  the  seduc 
tions  of  company  and  good  fellowship,  not  to  speak 
of  the  force  of  blood;  else  would  he  have  been 
spared  this  expiation." 

"  Nay,  I  name  not  thy  pursuit  with  the  intent  to 
reproach  ;"  interrupted  the  courteous  prelate.  "Such 
liberty  does  not  become  hospitality.  We  make  a 
difference  within  these  walls  between  the  confes 
sional  and  the  board." 

"  The  distinction  is  just,  and  promises  perpetuity 
and  lasting  respect  to  our  faith,  spite  of  all  heresies. 
The  rock  on  which  this  Brother  Luther  and  his 
followers  will  split,  holy  Abbot — at  least,  it  so  seem- 
eth  to  an  uninstructed  capacity — is  the  desire  to 
refine  beyond  men's  means  of  endurance.  Religion, 
like  chivalry,  is  good  in  its  way ;  but  neither  the 
priest  nor  the  knight  can  bear  his  armor  at  all  times 
and  seasons.  Your  schismatic  hath  the  desire  to 
convert  the  layman  into  a  monk,  whereas  the  beauty 
of  creation  is  its  order;  and  he  that  is  charged  with 
the  cure  of  souls,  is  sufficient  for  his  object,  with 
out  laying  this  constant  burthen  on  the  shoulders  of 
2  M2 


414  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

him  that  hath  already  more  of  temporal  cares  than 
he  can  bear." 

"  Were  others  more  of  thy  mind,  son,  we  should 
nave  less  trouble,  and  better  discipline.  Our  altars 
are  not  useless,  and  if  they  who  frequent  them,  could 
be  content  to  think  that  we  are  sufficient  for  their 
safety,  the  world  would  be  saved  much  disputation, 
and  haply  some  shedding  of  blood.  But  with  these 
safe  and  creditable  opinions,  Sir  Knight  and  Pil 
grim,"  continued  the  Abbot,  dropping  his  voice  to  a 
more  confidential  key,  "  it  may  be  permitted  me  to 
express  surprise,  that  I  see  thee  one  of  a  penitence 
commanded  for  violence  done  a  convent !" 

Albrecht  of  Viederbach  shrugged  his  shoulders, 
and  glanced  meaningly  towards  his  cousin. 

"  What  will  you,  right  noble  and  reverend  Pre 
late  ! — We  are  but  the  creatures  of  accident.  There 
is  respect  due  to  fellowship  and  hospitality,  to  say 
naught  of  the  claims  of  blood  and  kindred.  The  evil 
turn  of  the  Rhodian  warfare,  some  longings  to  look 
again  at  our  German  fields,  for  the  father-land  keeps 
its  hold  of  us  more  particularly  in  adversity,  with 
the  habits  of  an  unsettled  existence,  served  to  lead 
me  to  the  castle  of  Hartenburg ;  and  fairly  entered, 
it  will  excite  no  wonder  that  the  guest  was  ready 
to  lend  his  sword,  in  a  short  foray,  to  the  host.  These 
sallies,  as  thou  well  knowest,  princely  Rudiger,  are 
not  so  rare  as  to  be  deemed  miracles." 

"  What  thou  sayest  is  true,"  returned  the  Abbot, 
always  speaking  as  it  were  aside  to  the  Knight,  and 
manifesting  no  great  surprise  at  this  avowal  of  prin 
ciples,  that  were  common  enough  in  that  age,  and 
which  have  descended  in  a  different  form  to  our 
own,  since  we  daily  see  men,  in  the  gravest  affairs 
of  a  nation,  putting  their  morality  at  the  disposal  of 
party,  rather  than  incur  the  odium  of  being  wanting" 
in  this  species  of  social  faith.  "  What  thou  sayest 
is  very  true,  and  may  well  furnish  thy  plea  with  the 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  415 

Grand  Master.     Thou  mayest  on  many  accounts 
4oo,  find  this  pilgrimage  -wholesome." 

"  Doubt  it  not,  reverend  Abbot.  We  had  little 
time  during  the  siege,  to  pay  due  attention  to  the 
rites ;  and  the  general  looseness  of  our  lives,  since 
driven  from  the  island,  has  left  long  arrears  ta 
settle ;  a  fact  that  I  endeavor  to  remember  now." 

"  And  thy  associate — he  of  gentle  mien  ;  hath  he 
not  also  connexion  with  the  Church  ?" 

Albrecht  turned  to  whisper  the  reply. 

"  'Tis  but  one  that  circulates  under  the  frock,  holy 
Benedictine — a  youth  that  hath  been  the  dupe  of 
Lord  Emich  ;  for  to  speak  thee  fair,  my  cousin 
wanteth  not  of  the  policy  necessary  to  his  condition 
and  to  the  habits  of  a  sage  government." 

The  Abbot  smiled  in  a  way  to  show  a  good  intel 
ligence  between  him  and  his  companion.  After  this, 
they  talked  apart  earnestly  for  a  while,  beckoning 
Monsieur  Latouche  to  make  one  of  their  party, 
after  sundry  glances  in  his  direction.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  general  discourse  proceeded  among  the 
other  guests. 

"  I  was  sorrowed  to  hear,  reverend  Benedictine," 
proceeded  the  Count,  purposely  avoiding  the  eye  of 
Bonifacius,  by  addressing  himself  to  one  of  the  bro 
therhood  of  Einsiedlen,  "  that  thy  community  hath 
refused  us  masses,  for  the  soul  of  one  that  fell  in 
that  unhappy  dispute  which  is  the  cause  of  oui 
present  pleasure,  in  being  in  so  goodly  company.  1 
loved  the  youth,  and  would  fain  deal  liberally  by 
those  that  remember  his  present  necessities." 

"  Hath  the  matter  been  fairly  put  to  those  having 
the  right  to  decide  ?"  demanded  the  monk,  showing 
by  the  direction  of  his  eye,  that  he  meant  his  superior. 

"  They  tell  me  it  hath,  and  put  touchingly ;  but 
without  success.  I  trust  there  has  been  no  hostile  in 
terference,  in  this  affair,  which  concerneth  no  less 
than  a  soul,  and  ought  to  be  dealt  by  tenderly." 


416  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  I  know  of  but  one,  and  that  is  the  Father  of 
Evil  himself,  that  hath  an  enmity  to  souls  !"  answer 
ed  the  monk,  with  very  honest  surprise — "  As  for 
us,  it  is  our  pleasure  to  be  of  use  on  all  such  occa 
sions  ;  and  that  especially  when  the  request  is  pre 
ferred  by  friends  of  the  deceased,  that  are  worthy 
of  so  much  higher  favor." 

"  Dost  thou  call  those  who  overturn  altars,"  said 
Bonifacius,  sternly,  and  with  great  firmness  of  voice, 
— "  who  visit  the  temple  with  the  armed  hand,  and 
who  defy  the  Church,  worthy  of  her  favors !" 

u  Reverend  Abbot !" — 

"  Nay,  let  him  give  his  humor  vent,"  said  Emich, 
proudly — "  The  cold  air  and  a  roofless  head  are 
apt  to  move  the  temper.  I  would  fain  have  met  thee, 
Bonifacius,  in  amity,  as  should  have  been  the  case, 
after  our  solemn  treaty,  and  all  the  reparations  that 
are  made ;  but  the  desire  to  rule,  it  would  seem,  does 
not  abandon  thee,  even  in  banishment !" 

"  Thou  art  deceived  in  imagining  that  I  shall  for 
get  myself,  or  my  office,  rude  Emich ; — the  question 
put  was  to  the  Benedictine,  and  not  to  thee." 

"  Then  let  the  Benedictine  answer.  I  ask  thee, 
Father,  is  it  becoming  or  just,  that  the  soul  of  a 
youth  of  good  repute,  of  moral  life,  and  of  reason 
able  earthly  hopes,  should  be  refused  aid,  on  the 
mere  grudge  of  ancient  hostility,  or  haply  that  there 
were  some  passages  at  his  death,  that  might  have 
been  better  avoided  ?" 

"  The  Church  must  judge  for  itself,  noble  Pilgrim, 
and  decide  on  those  rules  which  regulate  its  course  !" 

"  By  the  sainted  eleven  thousand  ! — Thou  forget- 
test,  that  all  usages  have  been  respected,  and  that 
the  masses  are  not  asked  as  the  beggar  imploreth 
alms,  but  that  fairly  counted  gold  is  proffered  in  be 
half  of  the  youth.  If  enough  has  not  been  done  in 
this  way,  I  swear  to  thee,  Bonifacius,  since  it  would 
seem  thy  influence  here  is  so  strong,  that  on  my  re- 


THE  HEIDENMAUEK.  417 

turn  there  shall  be  further  offerings  on  his  account. 
Berchthold  was  very  dear  to  me,  and  I  would  not 
have  it  said  that  all  memory  of  the  boy  is  lost  be 
neath  the  ashes  of  Limburg." 

Though  both  in  their  several  ways  were  irascible, 
violent,  and  unaccustomed  to  control,  neither  Emich 
nor  Bonifacius  was  wanting  in  that  species  of  self- 
command,  which  is  so  necessary  to  men  intrusted 
with  the  care  of  important  interests.  They  had 
early  learned  to  bring  feeling  more  or  less  in  subjec 
tion  to  their  policy  ;  and  though  not  quite  equal  to  a 
cold  and  managed  display  of  indifference  on  such 
subjects  as  too  closely  crossed  their  views,  it  re 
quired  a  certain  combination  of  excitement  to  induce 
either,  unnecessarily,  to  betray  his  true  emotions. 
Their  personal  intercourse  had,  in  consequence  of 
this  affected  moderation,  been  less  violent  and 
wrangling,  than  would  otherwise  have  proved,  for 
it  did  not  often  happen  that  both  found  themselves 
wrought  up  to  the  point  of  explosion,  precisely  at 
the  same  instant ;  and  he  that  happened  to  remain 
the  coolest,  stood  as  a  check  on  the  passions  of  him 
who  had  momentarily  forgotten  appearances.  But 
for  this  fact,  the  ill-timed  and  ill-worded  question  of 
the  Count  might  have  produced  an  immediate  rup 
ture,  to  the  injury  of  the  pilgrims'  interests,  and  to 
the  great  scandal  of  the  brotherhood  of  Einsiedlen  : 
as  it  was,  however,  Bonifacius  lister  ed  with  outward 
courtesy,  and  answered  more  like  one  that  remem 
bered  his  priestly  office  than  his  particular  injuries. 

"  Had  it  been  my  good  fortune,  Herr  Pilgrim,"  he 
said  calmly,  "  to  have  remained  in  charge  of  altars 
so  esteemed,  as  to  be  sought  on  such  a  behalf,  thy 
application  in  favor  of  the  youth  would  have  re 
ceived  meet  attention ;  but  thou  now  addresseth  a 
prelate,  that,  like  thee,  is  indebted  to  the  hospitality 
of  these  excellent  brothers,  for  a  roof  to  cover  his 
head.'1 


418  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  Nay,  I  know  not,"  added  the  Count  a  little  con 
fused  by  this  sudden  humility,  "  but  rather  than  de 
sert  so  young  a  soul  in  this  strait,  and  soul  of  a  ser 
vitor  whom  I  so  much  loved,  that  I  would  not  even 
now  endow  some  chapel — of  a  size  and  decorations 
suited  to  his  station  while  living." 

"  On  Limburg  hill,  Heir  Emich  ?" 

"  Nay,  excellent  Bonifacius,  thou  forgettest  our 
loving  treaty,  this  pilgrimage,  and  other  conditions 
honorably  fulfilled.  Altars  can  never  rise  again  on 
Limburg  hill,  for  that  were  to  lose  sight  of  our  oaths 
and  promises,  which  would  be  a  crying  sin  in  both ; 
but  altars  and  chapels  may  exist  elsewhere.  Give 
us  then  this  grace,  and  look  to  our  gratitude  and 
justice  for  the  reward." 

Bonifacius  smiled,  for  h<s  felt  his  power,  and  he 
enjoyed  it  like  a  man  conscious  of  having  so  lately 
been  in  the  hands  of  the  very  baron,  who  now  so 
earnestly  beseeched  his  favor.  It  may  not  be  easy 
for  one  educated  in  these  later  days,  to  understand 
the  singular  contradiction,  which  led  Emich  of  Har- 
tenburg,  the  destroyer  of  Limburg,  thus  to  entreat 
a  monk ;  but  he  who  would  properly  understand  his 
character,  must  remember  the  durability  of  impres 
sions  made  in  youth,  the  dread  mystery  that  is  at 
tached  to  the  unknown  future,  and,  most  of  all,  the 
flagrant  inconsistencies,  that  are  always  the  fruits 
of  a  struggle  between  principles  and  interests, — be 
tween  the  force  of  reason  and  the  desires  of  selfish 
ness. 

"  Thou  accusest  me  unwarrantably,  when  thou 
sayest  that  our  oaths,  or  our  loving  treaty  is  forgot 
ten,  pious  Pilgrim,"  returned  the  Benedictine  ;  "  both 
are  respected  and  well  remembered,  as  thou  wilt 
see,  i^.  the  end.  But  there  is  a  feature  in  this  request 
of  thine,  that  hath  apparently  escaped  unwittingly 
one  of  thy  known  justice  and  impartiality.  Thy 
forester  is  well  known  for  having  greatly  affected 
the  heresy  that  is  ripe  in  Germany — " 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  419 

"  Nay,  Bonifacius,  here  must  be  an  error," — in 
terrupted  the  Count ;  "  thou  hast  his  very  mother  in 
our  pilgrimage  ;  and  dost  think  a  proselyte  of  Luther 
would  undertake  so  grievous  pain  to  satisfy  Rome  ?" 

"  We  speak  of  the  child,  and  not  of  the  parent, 
Herr  Pilgrim,  Had  all  that  were  trained  in  better 
principles  observed  the  opinions  of  their  fathers,  our 
age  would  have  been  spared  this  heresy.  Of  the 
boy's  irreverence  there  can  be  little  doubt,  since 
mine  own  ears  have  been  my  witnesses." 

"  How,  hast  thou  ever  shrived  the  youth,  rever 
end  Abbot  ?"  demanded  Emich  in  surprise.  "  I  did 
not  think  thee  of  so  great  condescension  to  one  of  his 
hopes,  nor — by  the  mass !  did  I  think  the  youth  so  weak, 
as  to  touch  on  disputed  points  at  the  confessional !" 

"  There  are  other  acknowledgments  made,  Herr 
Pilgrim,  than  those  which  are  heard  in  the  Church, 
or  under  the  cloak  of  her  mysteries.  There  was 
formerly  a  question  between  us,  noble  Count,  ami 
cably  settled,  and  in  a  merry  manner  that  need  not 
now  be  named." 

"  Touching  certain  vineyards !"  rejoined  Emich 
laughing,  "  The  fact  is  not  so  distant  as  to  be  forgot 
ten,  though  neither  my  cousin  nor  this  good  Abbe 
proved  as  stanch  in  that  matter  as  had  been  expected!" 

"Thy  forester  did  better  service.     Thou  mayst 

also  remember  there  were  certain  discussions  then 

had,  and  that  the  bold  boy  ventured  on  a  comparison 

of  the  tree  trimmed  of  its  useless  branches,  and  the 

•  tree  suffered  to  stand  in  its  deformity." 

"  Wilt  thou  abandon  a  soul  to  jeopardy  for  speech 
light  as  this,  Herr  Bonifacius  ?  God's  justice  !  This 
promiseth  but  little  in  mine  own  behalf,  at  some  fu 
ture  day.  Berchthold,  heated  and  warm  in  the  in 
terest  of  his  lord,  threw  out  hints  that  might  other 
wise  have  been  spared ;  moreover,  the  greater  the 
sinner,  Father,  the  greater  need  of  masses  and 
prayers." 

"  This  will  not  I  gainsay — my  objection  goeth  no 


420  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

farther  than  to  urge  that  those  who  are  willing  to 
live  by  the  counsels  of  Luther,  should  be  also  will 
ing  to  seek  salvation  by  his  means." 

**  Friends  and  pilgrims,"  said  the  Abbot  of  Ein- 
siedlen  approaching  the  table,  from  which  he  had  re 
tired  a  little,  to  converse  more  freely  with  the  Abbot 
and  the  Knight  of  Rhodes — "  the  hour  is  at  hand 
which  has  been  set  to  celebrate  an  early  mass  in 
behalf  of  this  pilgrimage.  The  bell  is  giving  the 
first  summons,  and  it  is  meet  that  we  retire  to  pre 
pare  ourselves  for  the  duty." 

At  this  interruption  Bonifacius,  who  saw  a  storm 
gathering,  gladly  arose,  and  instantly  withdrew,  the 
rest  dropped  off,  according  to  their  several  condi 
tions  ;  Emich  and  his  cousin  retiring  with  the  leisure 
of  men  more  accustomed  to  make  others  wait,  than 
of  hastening  their  movements  to  the  injury  of  their 
own  convenience. 

After  perusing  this  scene,  we  admonish  the  reader 
to  spare  his  remarks,  until  the  subject  has  been  well 
pondered  in  his  mind.  In  portraying  what  past  in 
the  private  refectory  of  the  convent  of  our  Lady  of 
the  Hermits,  we  wish  to  convey  no  censure  on  any 
particular  persuasion,  or  sect,  or  order  of  Christians, 
but  simply  to  exhibit  the  habits  and  opinions  of  the 
age  in  which  the  individuals  of  this  legend  existed. 
Let  those  who  are  disposed  to  be  hypercritical,  or 
censorious  in  their  remarks,  coolly  look  around  them, 
and,  first  making  the  necessary  allowances  for  the 
new  aspects  of  society,  put  the  question,  whether 
contradictions  as  apparent,  inconsistencies  nearly  as 
irreconcileable  with  truth,  and  selfishness  almost  as 
gross  and  as  unjust,  is  not  now  manifest  equally 
among  the  adherents  of  Rome,  and  the  proselytes 
of  Luther,  as  any  that  have  been  here  represented. 
We  may  claim  to  have  improved  on  the  opinions  and 
practices  of  our  predecessors,  but  we  are  still  far 
from  being  the  consistent  and  equitable  creatures 
that,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  we  are  yet  destined  to  become. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  421 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

"Forbear  to  judge,  for  we  are  sinners  all.' 

King  Henry  VI. 


AMONG  the  expiations  prescribed  to  the 
of  Deurckheim  and  Hartenburg,  there  had  been  in 
cluded  an  especial  and  early  morning  service,  the 
one  to  which  they  were  now  summoned.  Time  had 
:>een  allowed  the  weaker  portion  of  the  party  to  rest, 
while  the  stronger  had  been  employed  in  the  man- 
oer  described  in  the  preceding  chapter.  Certain 
self-inflicted  stripes  it  was  taken  for  granted  had 
teen  duly  bestowed,  at  different  periods,  during  the 
<ong  journey  from  the  Palatinate. 

It  was  an  hour  after  the  separation  of  the  abbey 
guests  that  the  procession  of  Benedictines  swept  out 
of  the  cloisters  into  the  body  of  the  church.  Though 
far  from  being  a  community  remarkable  for  the  aus- 
lerity  of  its  practices,  it  was  not  unusual  for  monks 
of  all  orders,  to  quit  their  pallets  on  extraordinary 
occasions,  and  to  break  the  stillness  of  night  with 
the  music  and  service  of  the  altar.  When  the  spirit 
comes  thus  fresh  from  repose,  and  in  a  disposition 
suited  to  the  object,  into  the  immediate  presence  of 
the  Deity,  incense  and  praise  so  free  from  the  dross 
of  humanity,  must  come  nearer  to  that  high  purity 
which  adorns  the  worship  of  angels  than  any  other 
that  can  ascend  from  man,  since  it  is  at  such  a  mo 
ment  that  all  least  feel  the  burthen  of  their  corporeal 
adjunct. 

Even  in  the  daily  parochial  duty,  the  good  Catho 
lics  still  observe  a  uniformity  and  rigidity  of  prac 
tice  tna.  are  unknown  even  in  this  land  of  Puritan 
origin.  The  church-bell  is  heard  in  every  village, 
with  the  first  dawn  of  light ;  at  indicated  hours,  all 
within  hearing  of  its  sound  are  admonished  to  recall 
their  thoughts  from  earth,  by  addressing  a  prayer  to 
2N 


THE  HEIDENMALER. 

God ;  and  with  the  close  of  day,  the  flock  is  once 
again  summoned  to  the  fold,  at  the  service  of  ves 
pers.  These  are  beautiful  and  touching  memorials 
of  our  duties,  and  when  practised  in  sincerity,  can 
not  fail  to  keep  the  mind  in  better  subjection  to  the 
great  authority  that  directs  all  our  destinies.  In 
countries  where  the  husbandmen  dwell  together  in 
villages,  the  practice  is  easy,  and  we  hold  its  loss  to 
be  one  of  the  greatest  disadvantages  of  our  own 
diffuse  distribution  of  rural  population;  a  distribu 
tion  which  is  also  the  reason  why  we  must  for  ever 
be  wanting  in  several  other  features  of  social  inter 
course,  that  give  to  life  more  or  less  of  its  poetical 
charm.  Happily  there  are,  on  the  other  hand,  ac 
companying  advantages  that  perhaps  more  than 
serve  as  offsets  to  this,  as  to  most  other  similar 
anomalies  in  our  usages. 

The  arrangements  of  a  Benedictine  chapel,  and 
the  decorations  of  its  altars,  together  with  the  man 
ner  in  which  the  brotherhood  occupy  their  stalls  in 
the  choir,  have  been  too  often  mentioned  in  these 
pages,  to  require  repetition.  Long  accustomed  to 
these  exercises,  the  monks  were  early  in  their  places, 
though  they  for  whom  the  mass  was  to  be  said  were 
not  all  as  punctual. 

Ulrike  and  Lottchen,  with  the  rest  of  the  females, 
entered  the  church  in  a  body,  while  the  men,  as  is 
usual  in  matters  that  touch  the  finer  feelings,  were 
the  last.  Erriich  and  the  Burgomaster,  however, 
finally  made  their  appearance,  followed  by  their 
companions,  the  whole  betraying  by  their  drowsy 
air,  that  they  had  been  endeavoring  to  sleep  off  the 
late  repast,  and  to  recover  from  their  fatigue. 

During  the  mass,  the  companions  of  Lottchen 
and  Ulrike  exhibited  exemplary  devotion,  and  a 
close  attention  to  the  service ;  but  the  gaping  of  the 
Count  and  his  circle,  the  wandering  eyes,  and 
finally  the  profound  repose  of  several,  sufficiency 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  423 

showed  that  the  ethereal  part  of  their  natures  was 
altogether  unequal  to  the  mastery  of  that  which 
was  material. 

There  was  a  procession  from  the  choir  to  the 
shrine,  and  prayers  were  said,  as  on  the  previous 
day,  with  the  eyes  of  all  riveted  on  the  unearthly 
countenance  of  Maria.  As  each  was  left  to  judge 
for  himself  of  the  manner  in  which  he  discharged 
his  particular  duties,  there  was  a  very  sensible  dif 
ference  in  tne  time  occupied  by  the  several  devotees, 
in  the  performance  of  the  common  vows.  The 
females  appeared  to  be  embodied  with  the  stone, 
and  there  were  entire  minutes  during  which  their 
motionless  forms  would  have  seemed  to  be  as  in 
animate  as  the  image  on  which  they  gazed,  but  for 
the  heaving  of  a  breast,  or  an  occasional  tremor, — 
outward  and  visible  signs  of  the  workings  of  the 
spirit  within.  Meta  kneeled  between  her  mother 
and  Lottchen,  her  whole  soul  apparently  engrossed 
in  devotion.  As  she  studied  the  bright  eye  that 
gleamed  upon  her  from  the  depths  of  that  mysteri- 
our  chapel,  illuminated  as  it  was  by  gorgeous  and 
bright  lamps,  her  fancy  transformed  the  image  into 
a  being  sainted  and  blessed  by  the  choice  of  God ; 
and  her  own  gentle  spirit  clung  to  the  delusion,  as 
one  replete  with  a  hope  to  cheer  her  own  desolation. 
She  thought  of  the  future,  and  of  the  grave ;  of  the 
rewards  of  the  just,  and  of  Heaven;  of  that  endless 
eternity  and  its  fruition  in  which  she  confided, — and 
the  ties  of  earth  began  sensibly  to  lessen.  There 
was  a  holy  desire  to  be  at  rest.  But,  notwithstand 
ing  the  spiritual  nature  of  her  employment,  the 
form  of  Berchthold,  gay  in  the  green  garb  of  a 
forester,  with  laughing  eye,  light  step,  and  cheerful 
voice,  mingled  in  all  the  pictures  of  her  imagination. 
Now  he  appeared  a  saint,  robed  and  bearded,  as 
she  had  been  wont  to  see  those  holy  men  represented 
in  works  of  art,  and  yet,  by  a  contradiction  wrought 


424  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

by  her  own  heart,  always  bright  and  youlhful 
and  now  she  thought  him  gifted  with  wings,  and 
united  to  the  beings  of  that  heavenly  choir,  which 
had  so  many  representatives  around  her  suspended 
between  the  roof  and  the  pavement  of  the  edifice. 
Singular  as  it  may  seem  to  some  of  our  readers,  so 
busy  and  so  alluring  was  the  working  of  her  imagi 
nation  at  this  thrilling  moment,  that  the  mourning 
and  affectionate  girl  had  rarely  spent  an  hour  of 
more  holy  enjoyment,  than  this  which  she  passed 
before  the  shrine  of  our  Lady  of  the  Hermits. 

Very  different  were  the  sensations  of  Lottchen. 
Her  griefs  were  those  in  which  the  fancy  had  no 
share.  She  wept  for  the  child  to  which  she  had 
given  birth;  for  the  stay  of  her  age,  and  for  the 
pride  of  her  life.  No  fancy  could  betray  the  imagi 
nation  of  a  mother,  nor  could  any  workings  of  the 
mind  convert  the  sad  reality  into  aught  but  the  bit 
ter  truth.  Still  Lottchen  found  consolation  in  her 
prayers.  Religious  faith  was  active,  though  imagi 
nation  slumbered ;  for  nothing  can  be  more  different 
than  the  delusions  of  the  one,  and  the  deep  sustained 
convictions  of  the  other ;  and  she  was  able  to  find 
a  solace  for  her  sorrow,  by  looking  with  calm,  Chris 
tian  hope  beyond  the  interests  of  life. 

The  sentiments  and  feelings  of  Ulrike  differed 
from  those  of  her  friend,  only  in  the  degree,  and  in 
the  peculiarity  of  those  circumstances  which  di 
rected  her  maternal  solicitude  to  a  still  living  object 
But  Ulrike,  kind,  true,  and  warm  of  heart,  had  ten 
derly  regarded  the  lost  Berchthold.  Had  there  been 
no  other  motive  than  the  fact  of  his  being  the  off 
spring  of  Lottchen,  she  could  not  have  been  indif 
ferent  to  him  ;  but,  accustomed,  as  she  had  been  for 
years,  to  look  forward  to  his  union  with  Meta,  she 
felt  his  loss  little  less  than  she  would  have  mourned 
over  that  of  a  child  of  her  own. 

Not  so  with  Heinrich.     The  bold  and  spirited 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  425 

tupport  he  received  from  Berchthold  during  the  as 
sault,  had  sensibly  won  upon  his  esteem,  for  the  af 
finities  between  the  brave  are  amongst  the  strong 
est  ;  but  the  Burgomaster  had  not  passed  a  life  in 
the  indulgence  of  a  passion  so  engrossing,  and  so 
incurable,  as  the  love  of  gain,  readily  to  cast  aside 
all  his  intentions  and  objects,  at  the  impulse  of  a 
purely   generous   feeling.     He   would   freely  have 
given  of  his  beloved  stores  to  the  youth  ;  but  to  be 
stow  Meta  was,  in  his  eyes,  to  bestow  all,  and,  un 
der  his  habits,  it  seemed  to  be  giving  gold  without 
an  equivalent,  to  give  his  daughter's  hand  to  a  pen 
niless  husband.     There  are  some  who  accumulate 
for  the  advantages  that  are  incidental  to  wealth ; 
others  hoard  under  the  goadings  of  an  abstract  and 
nearly  inexplicable  passion ;  while  another  set  heap 
.ogether  their  means,  as  boys  roll  up  snow,  with  a 
delight  in  witnessing  how  large  a  mass  may  be  col 
lected  by  their  agency.     Heinrich  was  of  the  latter 
class,  subject,  however,  to  a  relish  for  the  general 
results  of  wealth,  and  like  all  men  who  deem  mo 
ney  as  an  end  and  not  as  a   means,  he  was  in  the 
practice  of  considering  the  last  measure  of  his  poli 
cy,  which  was  intended  to  double  the  stock  by  the 
marriage  of  his  daughter,  as  the  happiest  and  the 
greatest  stroke  of  a  fortunate  and  prosperous  life, 
And  yet  Heinrich  Frey  had  his  moments  of  strong 
natural  feeling,   and   the   manner  in  which   Meta 
mourned  for  the  death  of  Berchthold  touched  him, 
to  a  degree  that  might  have  dispo-ed  him  to  say  he 
regretted  the  fate  of  his  young  lieutenant,  as  much 
on  her  account  as  on  his  own.  It  is  more  than  prob 
able,  however,  could  Berchthold  have  been  suddenly 
restored  to  life,  that  the  Burgomaster  would  have 
returned  to  his  former  mode  of  thinking,  and  would 
have  thought  the  resuscitation  of  the  young  forester 
sufficient,  of  itself,  to  assuage  the  grief  of  a  whole 
family. 

2N2 


426  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

Heinrich  and  the  Count  were  among  the  first  to 
quit  their  suppliant  attitudes  before  the  shrine.  They 
had  each  said  the  required  number  of  prayers,  arid 
brushing  their  knees,  the  two  pilgrims  strolled  away, 
deeper  into  the  body  of  the  Church,  like  men  well 
satisfied  with  themselves.  But,  while  so  ready  to 
give  relief  to  his  own  bones,  the  Burgomaster  kept 
a  vigilant  eye  on  Dietrich,  who,  being  a  hired  peni 
tent,  was  expected  to  give  Deurckheim  the  full  worth 
of  its  money,  in  the  way  of  mortifications  and  aves. 

Most  of  the  lights  in  the  choir  had  been  extin 
guished,  and  the  aisles  of  the  edifice  were  dimly 
visible,  by  means  of  a  few  scattered  candles,  that 
burned  almost  without  ceasing,  before  the  altars  of 
different  subordinate  chapels.  As  they  walked  down 
the  great  aisle,  Emich  slowly  laid  a  hand  on  the 
shoulder  of  his  companion,  seeming  to  invite  his 
close  attention,  by  the  grave  and  meaning  manner 
of  the  action. 

"  I  could  wish  that  our  poor  Berchthold,  after  all, 
had  the  virtue  of  masses  from  these  servitors  of  our 
Lady  of  the  Hermits !"  said  the  Count.  "  If  there 
oe  especial  savor  in  any  of  this  description  of  pray 
ers,  methinks  it  must  be  among  men  who  watch  a 
shrine  of  which  they  tell  all  these  miracles !" 

"  Your  wish,  nobly-born-brother-pilgrim-and-friend, 
is  but  the  expression  of  mine  own.  To  own  the 
truth,  I  have  thought  of  little  else,  while  going 
through  the  aves,  but  to  devise  the  means  of  per 
suading  the  holy  Abbot,  at  a  reasonable  rate,  to 
change  his  mind,  and  honestly  to  let  the  youth's  soul 
benefit  by  his  intercessions." 

"  Thou  hast  not  well  bethought  thee  altogether, 
friend  Heinrich,  of  thine  own  errand  here  !" 

"  Sapperment !  What  would  you,  Herr  Emich, 
from  a  man  of  my  years  and  education  ?  One  gets 
to  be  so  ready  with  the  words  by  oft  repeating,  that 
going  through  the  beads  is  much  like  tapping  with 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  427 

a  finger  while  the  eye  looks  over  an  account.  But 
to  speak  of  the  boy — were  we  to  bid  higher  for 
these  masses,  it  might  raise  the  present  price,  and 
we  be  uselessly  losers ;  for,  as  I  understand  the 
question,  the  amount  given  in  no  manner  changes 
the  true  value  of  the  intercession  to  the  defunct." 

"  Heinrich,"  returned  the  Count,  musingly,  "  they 
say  that  Brother  Luther  denounces  these  post  mor 
tem  prayers,  as  vain  and  of  none  avail !" 

"  That  would  alter  the  case  greatly,  Lord  Count- 
and-brother-pilgrim.  One  could  wish  to  be  sure  in 
an  affair  of  this  delicacy,  for  if  the  monk  of  Wit- 
tenburg  hath  reason  of  his  side,  we  lose  our  gold ; 
and  if  he  hath  wrong,  the  soul  of  Berchthold  may 
be  none  the  better  for  our  doubts !" 

"  We  laymen  are  sorely  pressed  between  the  two 
opinions,  worthy  Burgomaster,  and  I  could  fain  wish 
that  these  reformers  would  bring  the  question  speed 
ily  to  a  conclusion.  By  the  mass !  there  are  mo 
ments  when  I  am  ready  to  throw  away  the  rosary, 
and  to  take  Duke  Friedrich  of  Saxony's  side  of  the 
question,  as  being  the  most  reasonable  and  manly. 
But,  then  again,  should  he  prove  wrong,  thou  know'st, 
Heinrich,  we  lose  the  benefit  of  chapels  built,  of 
aves  said,  of  gold  often  paid,  and  the  high  protec 
tion  of  Rome!  Thou  seest  the  strait  of  poor  Berch 
thold,  and  this  only  for  some  little  freedom  of  dis 
course  !" 

Heinrich  sighed,  for  he  felt  the  force  of  the  di 
lemma,  and  lie  appeared  to  ponder  well  before  he 
answered.    Edging  nearer  to  the  Count,  like  a  man 
who  felt  he  was  about  to  utter  dangerous  sentiments 
in  a  delicate  situation,  he  whispered  the  reply. 

"  Here  Emich,"  he  said,  "  we  are  but  dust,  and 
that  of  no  very  excellent  quality.  The  potter's  ware 
hath  its  utility,  if  well,  baked  and  otherwise  pre 
pared  ;  but  of  what  use  is  man  when  the  breath 
hath  departed  ?  They  say  the  soul  remains,  and  that 


428  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

it  must  be  cared  for,  neither  of  which  will  I  dis 
pute  ;  but  is  it  reasonable  to  buy  out  a  patent  of  sal 
vation,  for  an  intangible  thing,  with  current  coin  ] 
Look  to  that  knave,  the  smith  ! — Your  pardon,  nobly- 
born  Count — but  here  hath  our  town  engaged  the 
rogue  to  do  penance  in  its  behalf,  and  my  eyes  are 
no  sooner  oft' him,  than  his  lips  become  as  stationary 
as  the  wings  of  a  mill  in  a  calm.  Duty  to  Deurck 
heim  demands  that  I  should  give  him  a  jog,  aftei 
which,  with  your  gracious  leave,  we  will  look  furthei 
into  the  philosophy  of  that  in  which  we  were  dealing.' 

Se  saying,  the  zealous  Heinrich  hurried  down  the 
aisle  towards  his  religious  mercenary,  with  a  laud 
able  and  sensitive  watchfulness  over  the  interests  of 
his  constituents.  He  found  the  smith  perfectly  im 
movable,  and  it  was  only  by  repeated  and  vigorous 
shakes,  that  he  succeeded  in  arousing  his  auxiliary 
from  a  profound  slumber. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Emich  walked  on,  still  occu 
pied  by  his  reflections.  On  reaching  the  gate  of  the 
choir,  he  was  about  to  retrace  his  steps,  when  he 
was  privately  beckoned,  by  one  whose  dusky  form 
appeared  at  a  side  door  of  the  church,  to  draw 
nearer.  On  approaching,  Emich  found  that  his  old 
rival,  Bonifacius,  awaited  his  coming. 

The  salutations  of  these  ancient  enemies  were 
courteous,  but  distant.  After  a  short  parley,  how 
ever,  they  withdrew  in  company ;  and  it  was  past 
the  turn  of  the  day,  ere  the  Count  of  Hartenburg 
reappeared  among  the  pilgrims.  The  details  of  what 
passed  in  this  secret  conference  were  never  known 
to  the  public,  though  subsequent  events  gave  reason 
to  believe  that  they  had  reference  to  the  final  settle 
ment  of  the  long-contested  existence  of  Limburg  in 
the  Jaergerthal.  It  was  known  generally  in  the  Ab 
bey,  that  the  Abbot  Rudiger  made  one  of  the  coun 
cil,  and  that  its  termination  was  friendly.  Those 
who  were  disposed  to  be  critical,  intimated  in  after 
days,  that,  in  this  dispute,  as  in  most  others  in  which 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  429 

Jie  weak  and  humble  lend  themselves  to  the  views 
of  the  great  and  the  strong,  they  for  whom  the  bat 
tie  had  been  fought,  and  whose  apparently  implaca* 
ole  enmities  had  sown  discord  among  their  follow 
ers,  suddenly  found  means  to  appease  their  resent 
ments,  and  to  still  the  tempest  they  had  raised,  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  suffer  most  of  its  consequences 
to  fall  on  the  heads  of  their  allies.  This  result,  which 
appears  to  be  universal  with  those  who  have  the 
imprudence  to  connect  themselves  indissolubly  with 
friends  who  can  irretrievably  dispose  of  their  des 
tinies,  was  perhaps  to  be  looked  for,  since  the  man, 
or  the  community,  that  is  so  weak  as  to  confide  too 
implicitly  in  the  faith  of  the  powerful,  whether  con 
sidered  individually  or  as  nations,  may  at  once  con 
sider  itself  a  tool  to  favor  views  that  have  little  con 
nexion  with  its  own  interests.  In  cases  of  this  na 
ture,  men  are  wont  to  share  the  fate  of  the  orange- 
skin,  which  is  thrown  away  after  being  sucked  ;  and 
communities  themselves  are  apt  to  undergo  some 
such  changes  as  those  which  mark  the  existence  of 
the  courser,  which  is  first  pampered  and  caressed, 
then  driven  upon  the  pole,  and  which  commonly 
ends  its  career  at  the  plow. 

During  the  time  Bonifacius  and  Emich  were  ar 
ranging  their  secret  treaty,  in  the  best  manner  that 
the  former  could  hope  for,  in  the  actual  state  of 
Germany,  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  latter, 
the  ceremonies  of  the  expiation  proceeded.  Aroused 
from  his  sleep,  Dietrich  endeavored  to  compensate 
for  lost  time  by  renewed  diligence,  and  the  Burgo 
master  himself,  apprehensive  that  the  negligence  of 
the  hireling  might  bring  a  calamity  on  the  town, 
joined  himself  to  the  party,  with  as  much  zeal  as  if 
he  had  as  yet  done  nothing  towards  effecting  the 
object  of  their  journey. 

The  sun  had  fallen  far  towards  the  west,  when  the 
pilgrims  finally  took  their  departure  for  the  Palati 
nate.  Father  Arnolph  was  again  at  their  head,  and, 


430  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

blessed  by  the  Abbot  and  in  favor  with  the  Church, 
the  whole  went  their  way,  if  not  with  lightened 
hearts,  at  least  with  bodies  much  refreshed,  with 
hopes  rekindled,  and  with  packs  materially  diminish 
ed  in  size. 

Ulrike  and  Lottchen  paused  when  they  reached 
the  boundary  of  the  plain,  where  they  could  com 
mand  a  parting  view  of  the  Abbey.  Here  they,  and 
Meta,  and  indeed  most  of  the  party,  prayed  long 
and  fervently ;  or  at  least  so  seemed  to  pray.  When 
they  arose  from  their  knees,  the  Prior,  whose  whole 
time  while  at  the  convent  had  been  deeply  occupied 
by  religious  exercises,  and  whose  spirit  had  been  re 
freshed,  in  a  degree  proportioned  to  his  sincerity 
and  faith,  came  to  the  side  of  the  principal  group  of 
the  females,  his  eye  beaming  with  holy  hope,  and  his 
face  displaying  innate  peace  of  mind. 

"  Ye  are  now,  daughters,  about  to  take  leave,  for 
ever,  of  the  shrine  of  our  Lady  of  the  Hermits,"  he 
said.  "  If  ye  have  seen  aught  to  lessen  the  high  ex 
pectation  with  which  the  pious  are  apt  to  draw  near 
this  sacred  altar,  ascribe  it  to  that  frailty  which  is 
inherent  in  the  nature  of  man;  and  if  ye  have  reap 
ed  consolation  and  encouragement,  from  your  offer 
ings  and  prayers,  ye  may,  with  all  security,  impute 
it  to  the  goodness  of  God.  And  thou,  my  child,1'  he 
added  with  paternal  tenderness,  addressing  Meta — 
'*  thou  hast  been  sorely  tried  in  thy  young  life, — but 
God  is  with  thee,  as  he  is  in  yon  blue  sky — in  that 
sun  of  molten  gold — in  yonder  icy  pile  that  props 
the  heavens,  and  in  all  his  works,  that  are  so  glori 
ous  in  our  eyes  !  Turn  with  me  to  yonder  mountain, 
that  from  its  form  is  called  the  Mitre.  Regard  it 
well — Dost  see  aught  in  particular  ?" 

"'Tis  an  abrupt  and  dreary  pile  of  rock,  Father;' 
answered  Meta. 

"  Seest  thou  naught  else — on  its  highest  summit  .- 

Meta  looked  intently,  for  in  sooth  there  did  appea 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  431 

v'  the  uppermost  pinnacle  of  the  mass,  an  object  so 
small,  and  so  like  a  line,  that,  at  first,  she  passed  a 
land  across  her  eye  to  remove  a  floating  hair  from 
Defore  her  sight. 

"  Father  !"  exclaimed  the  girl,  clasping  her  hands 
fervently,  "  I  behold  a  cross  !" 

"  That  rock  is  the  type  of  God's  durable  justice ; 
—That  cross  is  the  pledge  of  his  grace  and  love.  Go 
thy  way,  daughter,  and  have  hope." 

The  pilgrims  turned  and  descended  the  mountain 
in  musing  silence.  That  evening  they  crossed  the 
lake,  and  slept  within  the  ancient  walls  of  the  ro 
mantic  town  of  Rapperschwyl.  On  the  following 
day,  the  pilgrimage  being  now  happily  accomplish 
ed,  they  proceeded  toward  their  own  distant  habita 
tions,  descending  the  Rhine  in  boats. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

4  But  thou  art  clay — and  canst  but  comprehend 
That  which  was  clay,  and  such  thou  shalt  behold." 

Cain, 

THE  return  of  the  pilgrims  was  a  happy  moment 
to  all  who  dwelt  in  Deurckheim.  Many  prayers  had 
been  offered  in  their  behalf,  during  the  long  absence, 
and  divers  vague  reports  of  their  progress  and  suc 
cess,  had  been  eagerly  swallowed  by  their  friends 
and  townsmen.  When,  however,  the  Burgomaster 
and  his  companions  were  actually  seen  entering 
their  gates,  the  good  citizens  ran  to  and  fro,  in 
troubled  delight,  and  the  greetings,  especially  among 
the  gentler  sex,  were  mingled  with  many  tears. 
Emich  and  his  followers  did  not  appear,  having 
taken  a  private  path  to  the  castle  of  Hartenburg. 

The  simple  and  still  Catholic  (though  wavering) 
burghers  had  felt  many  doubts,  concerning  the  fruits 
cf  their  bold  policy,  while  the  expiatory  penance 


432  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

was  pending.  Their  town  was  in  the  midst  of  a  re 
gion  that  is  perhaps  more  pregnant  with  wild  le 
gends,  even  at  this  hour,  than  any  other  of  equal 
extent  in  Europe ;  and  it  can  be  easily  conceived 
that,  under  such  circumstances,  the  imaginations  of 
a  people  who  had  been,  as  it  were,  nurtured  in  su 
perstition,  would  not  be  likely  to  slumber.  In  ef 
fect,  numberless  startling  rumors  were  rife,  in  the 
town,  the  valley,  and  on  the  plain.  Some  spoke  of 
fiery  crosses  gleaming  at  night  above  the  walls  of 
the  fallen  Abbey;  others  whispered  of  midnight 
chants,  and  spectre-like  processions,  that  had  been 
heard  or  seen  among  the  ruined  towers ;  while  one 
peasant,  in  particular,  asseverated  that  he  had  held 
discourse  with  the  spirit  of  Father  Johan.  These 
tales  found  credulous  auditors  or  not,  according  to 
the  capacity  of  the  listener ;  and  to  these  may  be 
added  another,  that  was  accompanied  by  such  cir 
cumstances  of  confirmation,  as  are  apt  momentarily 
to  affect  the  minds  of  those,  even,  who  are  little 
wont  to  lend  attention  to  any  incidents  of  miracu 
lous  nature. 

A  peasant,  in  crossing  the  chase  by  a  retired  path, 
was  said  to  have  encountered  Berchthold,  clad  in 
his  dress  of  green,  wearing  the  hunting-horn  and 
cap,  and  girded  with  the  usual  couteau-de-chasse,  or, 
in  fine,  much  as  he  was  first  presented  to  the  reader 
in  our  early  pages.  The  youth  was  described  to 
have  been  hot  on  the  chase  of  a  roebuck,  and  flush 
ed  with  exercise.  From  time  to  time,  he  was  said 
to  wind  his  horn.  The  hounds  were  near,  obedient 
as  usual  to  his  call,  and  indeed  the  vision  was  de 
scribed  as  partaking  of  most  of  the  usual  accompa 
niments  of  the  daily  exercise  of  the  forester. 

Had  the  tale  ended  here,  it  might  have  passed  off 
among  the  thousand  other  similar  wonderful  sights, 
that  were  then  related  in  that  wonder-loving  coun 
try,  and  been  forgotten.  But  it  was  accompanied 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  433 

with  positive  circumstances,  that  addressed  them 
selves,  in  a  manner  not  to  be  disputed,  to  the  senses. 
The  two  favorite  hounds  of  the  forester  had  been 
missing  for  some  weeks,  arid,  from  time  to  time, 
cries  resembling  theirs  were  unequivocally  heard, 
ringing  among  the  arches  of  the  forest,  arid  filling 
the  echoes  of  the  mountains. 

This  extraordinary  confirmation  of  the  tale  of  the 
boor,  occurred  the  week  preceding  the  return  of  the 
pilgrims.  The  latter  found  their  townsmen  under  a 
strong  excitement  from  this  cause,  for  that  very  day, 
nearly  half  the  population  of  Deurckheim  had  been 
into  the  pass  of  the  Haart  which  was  described  in 
the  opening  chapter  of  this  work,  and  with  their 
own  ears  had  heard  the  deep  baying  of  the  hounds. 
It  was  only  after  the  first  felicitations  of  the  return 
were  over,  and  during  the  night  which  followed, 
that  the  pilgrims  learned  this  unusual  circumstance. 
It  reached  Emich  himself,  however,  ere  his  foot 
crossed  the  threshold  of  his  castle. 

On  the  following  day,  Deurckheim  presented  a 
picture  of  pleased  but  troubled  excitement.  Its  popu 
lation  was  happy  in  the  return  of  their  chosen  and 
best,  but  troubled  with  the  marvellous  incident  of 
the  dogs,  and  by  the  wild  rumors  that  accompanied 
it;  rumors  which  thickened  every  hour  by  corrobo 
rating  details  from  different  sources.  Early  that 
very  morning  a  new  occurrence  helped  to  increase 
the  excitement. 

From  the  moment  that  the  Abbey  was  destroyed, 
not  an  individual  had  dared  to  enter  its  tottering 
walls.  Two  peasants  of  the  Jaegerthal,  incited  by 
cupidity,  had  indeed  secretly  made  the  attempt,  but 
they  returned  with  the  report  of  strange  sights,  and 
of  fearful  groans  existing  within  the  consecrated 
pile.  The  rumor  of  this  failure,  together  with  a  lin 
gering  respect  for  altars  that  had  been  so  long  rev 
erenced,  effectually  secured  the  spot  against  all 
20 


434  THE  HS1DENMAUER. 

similar  expeditions.  The  alarm  spread  to  the  Heiden- 
mauer,  for,  by  a  confusion  of  incidents,  that  is  far 
from  unusual  in  popular  rumors,  an  account  of  Use, 
concerning  the  passage  of  the  armed  band  through 
the  cedars,  on  the  night  of  the  assault,  coupled  with 
the  general  distrust  that  was  attached  to  the  place, 
had  been  so  perverted  and  embellished,  as  effectually 
to  leave  the  ancient  camp  to  its  solitude.  Some  said 
that  even  the  spirits  of  the  Pagans  had  been  aroused 
by  the  sacrilege,  from  the  sleep  of  centuries,  and 
others  argued  that,  as  the  hermit  was  known  to  have 
perished  in  the  conflagration,  it  was  a  spot  accursed. 
The  secret  of  the  true  name,  and  of  the  history  of 
the  Anchorite,  was  now  generally  known,  and  men 
so  blended  the  late  events  with  former  offences,  as 
to  create  a  theory  to  satisfy  their  own  longings  for 
the  marvellous  ;  though,  as  is  usual  in  most  of  these 
cases  of  supernatural  agency,  it  might  not  have 
stood  the  test  of  a  severe  logical  and  philosophical 
investigation. 

During  the  night  which  succeeded  the  return  of 
the  pilgrims,  there  had  been  a  grave  consultation 
among  the  civic  authorities,  on  the  subject  of  all 
these  extraordinary  tales  and  spectacles.  The  alarm 
had  reached  an  inconvenient  point,  and  the  best 
manner  of  quieting  it  was  now  gravely  debated. 
There  was  not  a  burgher  present  at  the  discussion, 
who  felt  himself  free  from  the  general  uneasiness ; 
but  men,  and  especially  men  in  authority,  ordinarily 
choose  to  affect  a  confidence  they  are  frequently  far 
from  feeling.  In  this  spirit,  then,  was  the  matter  dis 
cussed  and  decided.  We  shall  refer  to  the  succeed 
ing  events  for  the  explanation. 

Just  as  the  sun  began  to  shed  his  warmth  into  th3 
valley,  the  people  of  Deurckheim,  with  few  excep 
tions,  collected  without  that  gate  which  the  Count 
of  Hartenburg  had  so  unceremoniously  forced.  Here 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  435 

'.hey  were  marshalled  by  citizens  appointed  to  that 
duty,  in  the  usual  order  of  a  religious  procession. 
In  front  went  the  pilgrims,  to  whom  an  especial  vir 
tue  was  attached,  in  consequence  of  their  recent 
journey ;  then  came  the  parochial  clergy,  with  the 
ordinary  emblems  of  Catholic  worship ;  the  burgh 
ers  succeeded,  and  last  of  all  followed  the  women 
and  children,  without  much  attention  to  order.  When 
all  were  duly  arranged,  the  crowd  proceeded,  ac 
companied  by  a  chant  of  the  choristers,  and  taking 
the  direction  of  Limburg. 

"This  is  a  short  pilgrimage,  brother  Dietrich," 
said  the  Burgomaster,  who  in  his  quality  of  a  Chris 
tian  of  peculiar  savor  was  still  associated  with  the 
smith,  "and  little  likely  to  weary  the  limbs;  still 
had  the  town  been  as  active  and  true,  as  we  who 
have  visited  the  mountains,  this  little  affair  of  a  few 
barking  hounds,  and  some  midnight  moans  in  the 
Abbey  ruins,  would  have  been  ready  settled  to  our 
hands.  But  a  town  without  its  head,  is  like  a  man 
without  his  reason." 

"  You  count  on  an  easy  deliverance  then,  honor 
able  Heinrich,  from  this  outcry  of  devils  and  unbid 
den  guests  !  For  mine  own  particular  exercises,  I 
will  declare  that,  though  sufficiently  foot-sore  with 
what  hath  already  been  done,  I  could  wish  the 
journey  were  longer,  and  the  enemy  more  human." 

"  Go  to,  smith ;  thou  art  not  to  believe  above  half 
of  what  thou  hast  heard.  The  readiness  to  give 
faith  to  idle  rumors  forms  a  chief  distinction  be 
tween  the  vagrant  and  the  householder — the  man  of 
weakness,  and  the  man  of  wisdom.  Were  it  decent, 
between  a  magistrate  and  an  artisan,  I  would  hold 
thee  some  hazard  of  coin,  now,  that  this  affair  turns 
out  very  different  from  what  thou  expectest ;  and  I 
do  not  account  thee,  Dietrich,  an  every-day  swaJ- 
lowei  of  lies." 


436  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  If  your  worship  would  but  hint  what  a 
dealing  man  ought  in  truth  to  believe — ?" 

"  Why  look  you,  smith,  here  is  all  that  I  expect 
from  the  inquiry,  though  we  hunt  and  exercise  for  a 
month.  It  will  be  found  that  there  is  no  pack  of 
hounds  at  all,  loose  or  in  leash,  but  at  most  a  dog  or 
two,  that  may  be  beset  or  not,  as  the  case  shall 
prove ,  next,  thou  wilt  see  that  this  tale  of  Father 
Johan  chasing  young  Berchthold,  while  the  boy 
hunts  a  roe-buck,  is  altogether  an  invention,  since 
the  monk  was  the  last  man  to  give  loose  to  such  a 
scampering,  noisy  device ;  as  for  the  Forester,  my 
life  on  it,  his  appearance  too  will  end  in  footmarks, 
or  perhaps  some  other  modest  sign  that  he  desires 
the  masses  refused  by  the  Benedictines  ;  for  I  know 
not  the  youth  that  would  be  less  likely  needlessly  to 
disturb  a  neighborhood,  with  his  own  particular 
concerns,  than  Berchthold  Hintermayer,  living  or 
dead." 

A  general  start,  and  a  common  murmur  among 
his  companions,  caused  Heinrich  to  terminate  his 
explanations.  The  head  of  the  procession  had  reach 
ed  the  gorge,  and,  as  it  was  about  to  turn  into  the 
valley,  the  trampling  of  many  hoofs  became  audi 
ble.  Feelings  so  highly  wrought  were  easily  excited 
to  a  painful  degree,  and  the  common  expectation, 
for  the  moment,  seemed  to  be  some  supernatural 
exhibition.  A  whirlwind  of  dust  swept  round  the 
point  of  the  hill,  and  Count  Emich,  with  a  train  of 
well-mounted  followers,  appeared  from  its  cloud.  It 
was  so  common  to  meet  religious  processions  of 
this  nature,  that  the  Count  would  not  have  mani 
fested  surprise,  had  he  been  ignorant  of  the  motive 
which  induced  the  population  of  Deurckheim  to 
quit  its  walls ;  but,  already  apprized  of  their  inten 
tions,  he  hastily  dismounted  and  approached  the 
Burgomaster,  cap  in  hand. 
"Thou  goest  to  exercise,  worshipful  Emich,"  he  said 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  437 

"  and  love  for  my  town  hath  quickened  our  steps, 
that  no  honor  or  attention  should  be  wanting  to  those 
J  love. — hast  a  place  among  thy  pilgrims,  for  a  poor 
baron  and  his  friends  ?' 

The  offer  was  gladly  accepted,  courage  being 
quickened  by  every  appearance  of  succor.  Emich, 
though  equipped  as  a  cavalier,  was  therefore  wil 
lingly  received  among  his  fellow-travellers.  The 
delay  caused  by  this  interruption  ended,  the  proces 
sion,  or  rather  the  throng,  for  eagerness  and  anxiety 
and  curiosity  had  nearly  broken  all  order,  proceeded 
towards  the  ascent  of  the  mountain. 

The  ruins  of  Limburg,  then  recent  and  still  black 
ened  with  smoke,  were  found  in  the  deep  silence 
of  utter  desertion.  To  judge  from  appearances,  not 
a  footstep  had  trodden  them,  since  the  moment  when 
the  band  of  the  assailants  had  last  poured  through  the 
gates,  after  a  tumultuous  triumph  which  had  been 
so  chilled  by  the  awful  catastrophe  of  the  falling 
roofs.  If  that  party  had  drawn  near  the  Abbey  in 
expectation  of  a  sudden  and  furious  assault,  this 
slowly  advanced  with  a  troubled  apprehension  of 
witnessing  some  fearful  manifestation  of  superhuman 
power.  Both  were  disappointed.  The  unresisted 
success  of  the  assailants  is  known,  and  the  proces 
sion  now  proceeded  with  the  same  impunity  ;  though 
many  a  voice  faltered  in  the  chant  as  they  entered 
the  spoiled  and  desolate  church.  Nothing  however 
occurred  to  justify  their  alarm. 

Encouraged  by  this  pacific  tranquillity,  and  desi 
rous  of  giving  proofs  of  their  personal  superiority  to 
vulgar  terrors,  the  Count  and  Heinrich  commanded 
the  throng  to  remain  in  the  great  aisle  of  the  church, 
while  they  proceeded  together  into  the  choir.  They 
found  the  usual  evidences  of  a  fierce  conflagration 
at  every  step,  but  nothing  to  create  surprise,  until 
they  arrived  at  the  mouldering  altar. 

"  Himmel !"  exclaimed  the  Burgomaster,  hastily 
202 


438  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


back  his  noble  friend  by  the  cloak, — "  Youf 
foot  was  about  to  do  disreverence  to  the  bones  of  a 
Christian,  my  Lord  Count ! — For  Christian  Father 
Johan  was,  beyond  all  question,  though  one  more 
given  to  damnation  than  to  charity." 

Emich  recoiled,  for  he  saw  in  truth,  that  with 
heedless  step,  he  had  been  near  crushing  these  re 
volting  remnants  of  mortality. 

"  Here  died  a  wild  enthusiast !"  he  said,  moving 
the  skeleton  with  the  point  of  his  sheathed  sword. 

"And  here  he  is  still,  nobly-born  Graf! — This  set 
tles  the  question  of  the  monk  chasing  young  Berch- 
thold  through  the  forest,  and  among  the  cedars  c'' 
the  Heidenmauer,  and  it  would  be  well  to  show  these 
remains  to  the  people." 

The  hint  was  improved,  and  the  throng  was  sum 
moned  to  bear  witness,  that  the  bones  of  Johan  still 
lay  on  the  precise  spot,  in  which  he  had  died.  While 
the  curious  and  the  timid  were  whispering  their  opi 
nions  of  this  discovery,  the  two  leaders  descended  to 
the  crypt. 

This  portion  of  the  edifice  had  suffered  least  by 
the  fire.  Protected  by  the  superior  pavement,  and 
constructed  altogether  of  stone,  it  had  received  no 
very  material  injury,  but  that  which  had  been  in 
flicted  by  the  sledges  of  the  invaders.  Fragments 
of  the  tombs  lay  scattered  on  every  side,  and  here 
and  there  a  wreath  of  smoke  had  left  its  mark  upon 
a  wall ;  but  Emich  saw  with  regret,  that  he  owed 
the  demolition  of  the  altar,  and  of  the  other  memo 
rials  of  his  race,  entirely  to  his  own  precipitation. 

"  I  will  cause  the  bones  of  my  fathers  to  be  in 
terred  elsewhere,"  he  said,  musingly  ; — "  this  is  no 
sepulchre  for  an  honored  stock  !" 

"  Umph ! — They  have  long  and  creditably  decayed 
where  they  lie,  Herr  Emich,  and  it  would  have  been 
well  had  they  been  left  beneath  the  cover  of  their 
ancient  marbles;  but  our  artisans  showed  unusual 


THE  HETOENMAUER.  439 

agility  in  this  part  of  their  toil,  in  honor,  no  doubt, 
of  an  illustrious  house." 

"  None  of  my  race  shall  sleep  within  walls  ac 
cursed  by  Benedictines !  Hark ! — what  movement 
is  that  above,  good  Heinrich  ?" 

**  The  townsmen  have  doubtless  fallen  upon  tfr  e 
bones  of  the  hermit,  and  of  young  Berchthold. 
Shall  we  go  up,  Lord  Count,  and  see  that  fitting 
reverence  be  paid  their  remains?  The  Forester 
has  claims  upon  us  all,  and  as  for  Odo  Von  Ritter- 
stein,  his  crime  would  be  deemed  all  the  lighter  in 
these  days,  moreover  he  was  betrothed  to  Ulrike  in 
their  youth." 

"  Heinrich,  thy  wife  was  very  fair ; — she  had 
many  suitors !" 

"  I  cry  your  mercy,  noble  Count ;  I  never  heard 
but  of  poor  Odo,  and  myself.  The  former  was  put 
out  of  the  question  by  his  own  madness,  and  as  for  the 
latter,  he  is  such  as  Heaven  was  pleased  to  make  him : 
an  indifferent  lover  and  husband  if  you  will,  but  a 
man  of  some  credit  and  substance  among  his  equals." 

The  Count  did  not  care  to  dispute  the  possession 
of  these  qualities  with  his  friend,  and  they  left  the 
crypt,  with  a  common  desire  to  pay  proper  respect 
to  the  remains  of  poor  Berchthold.  To  their  mutual 
surprise  the  church  was  found  deserted.  By  the 
clamor  of  voices  without,  however,  it  was  easy  to 
perceive  that  some  extraordinary  incident  had  drawn 
away  the  members  ef  the  procession,  in  a  body. 
Curious  to  have  SA  violent  an  interruption  of  the  pro 
ceedings  explained,  the  two  chiefs,  for  Heinrich  was 
still  entitled  to  be  so  styled,  hastened  down  the  great 
aisle,  picking  their  way  among  fallen  fragments,  to 
wards  the  great  door-  Near  the  latter,  they  were 
again  shocked  by  the  spectacle  of  the  charred  skele 
ton  of  Johan,  which  seemingly  had  been  dropped  under 
the  impulse  of  some  sudden  and  great  confusion. 

"  Himmel !"  muttered  the  Burgomaster,  while  he 


440  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

hurried  after  his  leader,  "  they  have  deserted  the 
bones  of  the  Benedictine ! — can  it  be,  Lord  Emich, 
that  some  fiery  miracle,  after  all  our  unbelief,  hath 
wrought  this  fear  ?" 

Emich  made  no  reply,  but  issued  into  the  court 
with  the  air  of  an  offended  master.  The  first  glimpse, 
however,  that  he  caught  of  the  group,  which  now 
thronged  the  ruined  walls  of  the  minor  buildings, 
whence  there  was  a  view  of  the  surrounding  coun 
try,  and  particularly  of  parts  of  the  adjacent  hill  of 
the  Heidenmauer,  convinced  him  that  the  present 
was  no  moment  to  exhibit  displeasure.  Climbing  up 
a  piece  of  fallen  stone-work,  he  found  himself  on  a 
fragment  of  wall,  surrounded  by  fifty  silent,  wonder 
ing  countenances,  among  whom  he  recognised  seve 
ral  of  his  own  most  trusty  followers. 

"  Whatmeaneth  this  disrespect  of  the  service,  and 
so  sudden  an  abandonment  of  the  remains  of  the 
monk  ?'  demanded  the  baron, — vainly  looking  about 
him,  in  the  hope  of  finding  some  quicker  explanation 
by  means  of  his  own  eyes. 

"  Hath  not  my  Lord  the  Count  seen  and  heard  ?" 
muttered  the  nearest  vassal. 

"  What — knave  ?  I  have  seen  nought,  but  pallid 
and  frightened  fools,  nor  heard  more  than  beating 
hearts  !  Wilt  thou  explain  this,  varlet — for,  though 
something  of  a  rogue,  thou,  at  least,  art  no  coward  V 

Emich  addressed  himself  to  Gottlob. 

"  It  may  not  be  so  easy  of  explanation  as  is  thought, 
Lord  Count,"  returned  the  cow-herd  gravely  :  "  the 
people  have  come  hither  with  this  speed,  inasmuch 
as  the  cries  of  the  supernatural  dogs  have  been  heard, 
and  some  say  the  person  of  poor  Berchthold  hath 
been  again  seen  !" 

The  Count  smiled  contemptuously,  though  he  knew 
the  speaker  sufficiently  well  to  be  surprised  at  the 
concern  which  was  very  unequivocally  painted  in 
his  face. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  441 

"  Thou  wert  attached  to  my  Forester?" 

"  Lord  Emich,  we  were  friends,  if  one  of  so  humble 
station  may  use  the  word,  when  speaking  of  a  youth 
that  served  so  near  the  person  of  our  master.  Like 
his,  my  own  family  once  knew  better  days,  and  we 
often  met  in  the  chase,  which  I  was  wont  to  cross, 
coming  or  going  to  the  pastures.  I  loved  poor 
Berchthold,  nobly-born  Count,  and  still  love  his 
memory." 

"  I  believe  thou  hast  better  stuff  in  thee,  than  some 
idle  and  silly  deeds  would  give  reason  to  believe.  1 
have  remembered  thy  good  will  on  various  occasions, 
and  especially  thy  cleverness  in  making  the  signals, 
on  the  night  these  walls  were  overturned,  and  thou 
wilt  find  thyself  named  to  the  employment  left  vacant 
by  my  late  Forester's  unhappy  end." 

Gottlob  endeavored  to  thank  his  master,  but  he 
was  too  much  troubled  by  real  grief  for  the  loss 
of  his  friend,  to  find  consolation  in  his  own  prefer 
ment. 

"  My  services  are  my  Lord  Count's,"  he  answered, 
"  but,  though  ready  to  do  as  commanded,  I  could 
well  wish  that  Berchthold  were  here  to  do  that  for 
me,  which — " 

"  Listen  ! — Hark  !" — cried  a  hundred  voices. 

Emich  started,  and  bent  forward  in  fixed  attention. 
The  day  was  clear  and  cloudless,  and  the  air  of  the 
hills  pure  as  a  genial  breeze  and  a  bright  sun  could 
bestow.  Favored  by  such  circumstances,  and  amid 
a  silence  that  was  breathing  and  eloquent,  there  were 
borne  across  the  valley  the  well  known  cries  of 
hounds  on  the  scent.  In  that  region  and  age,  none 
dared  hunt,  and  indeed  none  possessed  the  means  of 
hunting,  but  the  feudal  Lord.  Since  the  late  events, 
his  chases  had  been  unentered  with  this  view,  and 
the  death  of  Berchthold,  who  had  especial  privileges 
in  this  respect,  had  left  them  without  another  who 
might  dare  to  imitate  his  habits. 


442  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  This  is  at  least  bold !"  said  Emich,  when  the 
cries  had  passed  away  :  "  hath  any  other  near  dogs 
of  that  noble  breed  1" 

"  We  never  heard  of  other !" 

"  None  would  dare  use  them ;"  were  the  answers. 

"  I  know  those  throats — they  are,  of  a  certainty, 
the  favorite  hounds  of  my  poor  Forester !  Have  not 
the  dogs  escaped  the  leash,  to  play  their  gambols  at 
will  among  the  deer  ?" 

"  In  that  case,  Lord  Count,  would  tried  hounds  re 
main  abroad  for  weeks  ?"  answered  Gottlob.  "  It  is 
now  a  sennight  since  these  cries  have  been  first 
heard,  and  yet  no  one  has  seen  the  dogs,  from  that 
hour  to  this,  unless  as  some  one  of  our  hinds  says, 
they  have  in  sooth  been  seen  running  madly  on  the 
scent." 

"  'Tis  said,  mein  Herr  Graf,"  put  in  another,  "  that 
Berchthold,  himself,  hath  been  viewed  in  their  com 
pany,  his  garments  floating  in  the  wind,  while  he 
flew  along,  keeping  even  pace  with  the  dogs,  an'  he 
had  been  swift  of  foot  as  they !" 

"  With  Father  Johan  at  his  heels,  cowl  undone, 
and  robe  streaming  like  a  penon,  by  way  of  religious 
amusement!"  added  the  Count,  laughing.  "Dost 
not  see,  dotard,  that  the  crackling  bones  of  thy  monk 
are  still  in  the  ruin  V9 

The  hind  was  daunted  by  his  master's  manner, 
but  nothing  convinced.  There  then  succeeded  a 
long  and  expecting  silence,  for  this  little  by -play  near 
the  Count  had  not  in  the  least  affected  the  solemn 
attention  of  the  mass.  At  length  the  throats  of  these 
mysterious  dogs  again  opened,  and  the  cries  indeed 
appeared  like  those  of  hounds  rushing  from  beneath 
the  cover  of  woods  into  the  open  air.  In  a  few  mo 
ments  they  were  repeated,  and  beyond  all  dispute, 
they  were  now  upon  the  open  heath  that  surrounded 
the  Teufelstein.  The  crisis  grew  alarming  for  the 
local  superstitions  of  such  a  place,  in  the  commence- 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  443 

trcnt  of  the  sixteenth  century.  Even  Emich  wa 
vered.  Though  he  had  a  vague  perception  of  the  in 
consistency  of  living  dogs  being  hunted  by  a  dead 
Forester,  still  there  were  so  many  iweans  of  getting 
over  this  immaterial  difficulty,  when  the  greater 
point  of  the  supernatural  chase  was  admitted,  that 
he  found  little  relief  in  the  objection.  Descending 
from  the  wall,  he  was  in  the  act  of  beckoning  the 
priests  and  Heinrich  to  his  side,  when  a  general  shout 
arose  among  the  male  spectators,  while  the  women 
rushed  in  a  body  around  Ulrike,  who  was  kneeling, 
with  Lottchen  and  Meta,  before  the  great  crucifix 
of  the  ancient  court  of  the  convent.  In  the  twink 
ling  of  an  eye,  Emich  re-occupied  his  place  on  the 
wall,  which  shook  with  the  impetus  of  his  heavy 
rush, 

"  What  meaneth  this  disrespectful  tumult  ?"  an 
grily  demanded  the  baron, 

"The  hounds! — mein  Heir  Graf! — the  hounds  r 
answered  fifty  breathless  peasants, 

44  Explain  this  outcry,  Gottbb," 

"  My  Lord  Count,  we  have  seen  the  dogs  leaping 
past  yonder  margin  of  the  hill, — here, — just  in  a  line 
with  the  spot  where  the  Teufelstein  lies.  I  know 
the  dear  animals  well,  Herr  Emich,  and  believe  me, 
they  are  truly  the  old  favourites  of  Berchthold." 

**  And  Berchthold !"  continued  one  or  two  of  the 
more  decided  lovers  of  the  marvellous, — "  we  saw 
the  late  Forester,  great  Emich,  bounding  after  the 
dogs  an'  he  had  wings  !" 

The  matter  grew  serious,  and  the  Count  slowly 
descended  to  the  court,  determined  to  bring  the  af 
fair  to  some  speedy  explanation. 


444  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 


CHAPTEE  XXX. 

*  By  the  Apostle  Pan),,  shadows  to-night 

Have  struck  more  terror  to  the  soul  of  Richard, 

Than  can  the  substance  of  ten  thousand  soldiers " 

Richard  III. 

THE  consultation  that  now  took  place  was  b& 
tween  the  principal  laymen.  The  connection  which 
the  Church  had  so  long  maintained  with  supernatural 
agencies,  determined  Enrich,  who  was  jealous  of  its 
again  obtaining  its  lost  ascendency  in  that  country, 
to  exclude  the  officiating  priests  altogether  from  the 
decision  he  was  about  to  take.  Were  we  to  say  that 
the  Count  of  Hartenburg  gave  full  faith  to  the  ru 
mors  concerning  the  spirit  of  his  late  Forester,  having 
been  seen  engaged  in  the  chase,  as  when  in  the  flesh, 
we  should  probably  not  do  entire  credit  to  his  intelli 
gence  and  habits  of  thinking,  but  were  we  to  say, 
that  he  was  altogether  free  from  superstition  and 
alarm  on  this  difficult  point,  we  should  attribute  to 
him  a  degree  of  philosophy  and  a  mental  indepen 
dence,  which  in  that  age  was  the  property  only  of 
the  learned  and  reflecting,  and  not  always  even  of 
them.  Astrology,  in  particular,  had  taken  strong 
hold  of  the  imaginations  of  those  who  even  pretended 
to  general  science ;  and  when  the  mind  once  admits 
of  theories  of  a  character  so  little  in  accordance  with 
homely  reason,  it  opens  the  avenues  to  a  multitude 
of  collateral  weaknesses  of  the  same  nature,  which 
seem  to  follow  as  the  necessary  corollaries  of  the 
main  proposition. 

The  necessity  of  a  prompt  solution  of  the  question 
was  admitted  by  all  of  those  whom  the  Count  consulted. 
Many  had  begun  to  whisper  that  the  extraordinary 
visitation  was  a  consequence  of  the  sacrilege,  and  that 
it  was  hopeless  to  expect  peace,  or  exemption  from 
supernatural  plagues,  until  the  Benedictines  were 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  445 

to  their  Abbey  and  their  former  rights 
Though  Enrich  felt  convinced  that  this  idea  came 
originally  from  the  monks,  through  some  of  their 
secret  and  paid  agents,  he  saw  no  manner  of  defeat 
ing  it  so  effectually  as  that  of  demonstrating  the  fal 
sity  of  the  rumor.  In  our  time,  and  in  this  land,  a 
weapon  thit  was  forged  by  a  miracle,  would  be  apt 
to  become  useless  of  itself;  but  in  the  other  hemi 
sphere,  there  still  exist  entire  countries,  that  are  yet 
partially  governed  by  agents  of  this  description.  At 
the  period  of  the  tale,  the  public  mind  was  so  unin- 
structed  and  dependent,  that  the  very  men  who  were 
most  interested  in  defeating  the  popular  delirium  of 
the  hour,  had  great  difficulty  in  overcoming  their 
own  doubts.  It  has  been  seen  that  Enrich,  though 
much  disposed  to  throw  off  the  dominion  of  the 
Church,  so  far  clung  to  his  ancient  prejudices,  as  se 
cretly  to  distrust  the  very  power  he  was  about  to 
defy,  and  to  entertain  grave  scruples  not  only  of  the 
policy,  but  of  the  lawfulness  of  the  step  his  ambition 
had  urged  him  to  adopt.  In  this  manner  does  man 
become  the  instrument  of  the  various  passions  and 
motives  that  beset  him,  now  yielding,  or  now  strug 
gling  to  resist,  as  a  stronger  inducement  is  presented 
to  his  mind ;  always  professing  to  be  governed  by 
reason  and  constrained  by  principles,  while  in  truth 
he  rarely  consents  to  consult  the  one,  or  to  respect  the 
other,  until  both  are  offered  through  the  direct  me 
dium  of  some  engrossing  interest,  that  requires  an 
immediate  and  active  attention.  Then  indeed  his 
faculties  become  suddenly  enlightened,  and  he  eagerly 
presses  into  his  service  every  argument  that  offers, 
the  plausible  as  well  as  the  sound  ;  and  thus  it  hap 
pens  that  we  frequently  see  whole  communities 
making  a  moral  pirouette  in  a  breath,  adopting  this 
year  a  set  of  principles  that  are  quite  in  opposition 
to  all  they  had  ever  before  professed.  Fortunately, 
all  that  is  thus  gained  on  sound  principles  is  apt  to 
2  P 


446  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

continue,  since  whatever  may  be  the  waywardness  of 
those  who  profess  them,  principles  themselves  are  im 
mutable,  and  when  once  fairly  admitted,  are  not  easily 
dispossessed  by  the  bastard  doctrines  of  expediency 
and  error.  These  changes  are  gradual  as  respect 
those  avant-couriers  of  thought,  who  prepare  the 
way  for  the  advance  of  nations,  but  who,  in  general, 
so  far  precede  their  contemporaries,  as  to  be  utterly 
out  of  view  at  the  effectual  moment  of  the  reforma 
tion,  or  revolution,  or  by  whatever  name  these  sudden 
summersets  are  styled;  but  as  respects  the  mass,  they 
often  occur  by  a  coup-de-main;  an  entire  people  awak 
ening,  as  it  were,  by  magic,  to  the  virtues  of  a  new 
set  of  maxims,  much  as  the  eye  turns  from  the  view 
of  one  scenic  representation  to  that  of  its  successor. 
Our  object  in  this  tale  is,  to  represent  society, 
under  its  ordinary  faces,  in  the  act  of  passing  from 
the  influence  of  one  set  of  governing  principles  to 
that  of  another.  Had  our  efforts  been  confined  to 
the  workings  of  a  single  and  a  master  mind,  the  pic 
ture,  however  true  as  regards  the  individual,  would 
have  been  false  in  reference  to  a  community  ;  since 
such  a  study  would  have  been  no  more  than  fol 
lowing  out  the  deductions  of  philosophy  and  reason 
— something  the  worse,  perhaps,  for  its  connection 
with  humanity ;  whereas,  he  that  would  represent 
the  world,  or  any  material  portion  of  the  world, 
must  draw  the  passions  and  the  more  vulgar  inter 
ests  in  the  boldest  colors,  and  be  content  with  pour- 
traying  the  intellectual  part,  in  a  very  subdued 
background.  We  know  not  that  any  will  be  disposed 
to  make  the  reflection  that  our  labors  are  intended 
to  suggest,  and  without  which  they  will  scarcely 
be  useful;  but,  while  we  admit  the  imperfection  of 
what  has  been  here  done,  we  feel  satisfied  that  he 
who  does  consider  it  coolly  and  in  candor,  will  be 
disposed  to  allow,  that  our  picture  is  sufficiently 
true  for  its  object. 


THE  HEIDENMAUEK.  447 

We  have  written  in  vain,  should  it  now  be  neces 
sary  to  dwell  on  the  nature  of  the  misgivings  that 
harassed  the  minds  of  the  Count  and  Heinrich,  as 
they  descended  the  hill  of  Limburg,  at  the  head  of 
the  new  procession.  Policy,  and  the  determination 
to  secure  advantages  that  had  been  so  dearly  ob 
tained,  urged  them  on ;  while  doubt  and  all  the  pro 
geny  of  ancient  prejudices,  contributed  to  their  dis 
trust. 

The  people  advanced  much  in  the  same  order  as 
that  in  which  they  had  ascended  to  the  ruins  of  the 
Abbey.  The  pilgrims  were  in  front,  followed  closely  by 
the  parochial  priests,  and  their  choirs  ;  while  the  rest 
succeed  in  an  eager,  trembling,  curious,  and  devout 
crowd.  Religious  change  existed,  as  yet,  rather  in  doc- 
trine,and  among  the  few,  than  in  the  practices  of  the 
many  ;  and  all  the  rites,  it  will  be  remembered,  were 
those  usually  observed  by  the  church  of  Rome  on  an 
occasion  of  exorcism,  or  of  an  especial  supplication 
to  be  released  from  a  mysterious  display  of  Heaven's 
displeasure.  The  Count  and  Heinrich,  as  became  their 
stations,  walked  boldly  in  advance ;  for,  whatever 
might  have  been  the  extent  and  nature  of  their  dis 
trust,  it  was  wisely  and  successfully  concealed  from 
all  but  themselves — even  the  worthy  Burgomaster 
entertained  a  respectful  opinion  of  the  Noble's  firm 
ness,  and  the  latter  much  wondering  at  a  man  of 
Heinrich's  education  and  habits  of  life,  being  able 
to  show  a  resolution  that  he  thought  more  properly 
belonged  to  philosophy.  They  passed  up  towards  the 
plain  of  the  Heidenmauer,  by  the  hollow  way  that  has 
already  been  twice  mentioned  in  these  pages — once 
in  the  Introduction,  and  again,  as  the  path  by  which 
Ulrike  descended  on  her  way  to  the  Abbey,  on  the 
night  of  its  destruction.  Until  near  the  summit,  no 
thing  occurred  to  create  new  uneasiness ;  and  as  the 
choristers  increased  the  depth  of  their  chant,  the 
leader  began  to  feel  a  vague  hope  of  escaping  from 


448  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

farther  interruption.  As  the  moments  passed,  the 
Count  breathed  freer,  and  he  already  fancied  that 
he  had  proved  the  Heidenmauer  to  be  a  spot  as 
harmless  as  any  other  in  the  Palatinate. 

"  You  have  often  pricked  courser  over  this  \vild 
common  of  the  Devil,  noble  and  fearless  Count," 
said  Heinrich,  when  they  drew  near  the  margin  of 
the  superior  plain — "  One  so  accustomed  to  its  view 
is  not  easily  troubled  by  the  cries  and  vagaries  of  a 
leash  of  uneasy  dogs,  though  they  might  be  kenneled 
beneath  the  shade  of  the  Teufelstein  !" 

"  Thou  mayest  well  say  often,  good  Heinrich 
When  but  an  urchin,  my  excellent  father  was  wont 
to  train  his  chargers  on  this  height,  and  it  was  often 
my  pleasure  to  be  of  the  party.  Then  our  hunts 
frequently  drove  the  deer  from  the  cover  of  the 
chases  to  this  open  ground — " 

The  Count  paused,  for  a  swift,  pattering  rush,  like 
that  of  the  feet  of  hounds  beating  the  ground,  was 
audible,  just  above  their  heads,  though  the  edge  of 
the  mountain  still  kept  the  face  of  the  level  ground 
from  being  seen.  Spite  of  their  resolution,  the  two 
leaders  came  to  a  dead  halt — a  delay  which  those  in 
the  rear  were  compelled  to  imitate. 

"  The  common  hath  its  tenants,  Herr  Frey,"  said 
Emich,  gravely,  but  in  a  tone  of  a  man  resolute  to 
struggle  for  his  rights ;  "  it  will  soon  be  seen  if  they 
are  disposed  to  admit  the  sovereignty  of  their  feudal 
lord." 

Without  waiting  for  an  answer,  the  Count  spite 
of  himself  muttered  an  ave,  and  mounted  with  sturdy 
limbs  to  the  summit.  The  first  glance  was  rapid, 
uneasy,  and  distrustful ;  but  nothing  rewarded  the 
look.  The  naked  rock  of  the  Teufelstein  lay  in 
the  ancient  bed — where  it  had  probably  been  left, 
by  some  revolution  of  the  earth's  crust,  three  thou 
sand  years  before — gray,  solitary,  and  weather-worn 
as  at  this  hour;  the  grassy  common  had  not  a  hoof 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  449 

or  foot  over  the  whole  of  its  surface  ;  and  the  cedars 
of  the  deserted  camp  sighed  in  the  breeze,  as  usual, 
dark,  melancholy,  and  suited  to  the  traditions  which 
had  given  them  interest. 

"Here  is  nothing!"  said  the  Count,  drawing  a 
heavy  breath,  which  he  would  fain  ascribe  to  the 
difficulty  of  the  ascent. 

"  Herr  von  Hartenburg,  God  is  here,  as  he  is  among 
the  hills  we  have  lately  quitted — on  that  fair  and 
wide  plain  below — and  in  thy  hold  ! — " 

"Prithee,  good  Ulrike,  we  will  of  this  another 
time.  We  touch  now  on  the  destruction  of  a  silly 
legend,  and  of  some  recent  alarms." 

At  a  wave  of  his  hand  the  procession  proceeded 
taking  the  direction  of  the  ancient  gateway  of  the 
camp,  the  choir  renewing  its  chant,  and  the  same 
leaders  always  in  advance. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  say  that  the  Heidenmauer 
was  approached,  on  this  solemn  occasion,  with  beat 
ing  hearts.  No  man  of  reflection  and  proper  feeling 
can  ever  visit  a  spot  like  this,  without  fancying  a 
picture  that  is  fraught  with  pleasing  melancholy. 
The  certainty  that  he  has  before  his  eyes  the  remains 
of  a  work,  raised  by  the  hands  of  beings  who  existed 
so  many  centuries  before  him  in  that  great  chain  of 
events  which  unites  the  past  with  the  present,  and 
that  his  feet  tread  earth  that  has  been  trodden 
equally  by  the  Roman  and  the  Hun,  is  sufficient  of 
itself  to  raise  a  train  of  thought  allied  to  the  won 
derful  and  grand.  But  to  these  certain  and  natural 
sensations  was  now  added  a  dread  of  omnipotence 
and  the  apprehension  of  instantly  witnessing  some 
supernatural  effect. 

Not  a  word  was  uttered,  until  Emich  and  the  Bur- 
gomaster  turned  to  pass  the  pile  of  stones  which 
mark  the  position  of  the  ancient  wall,  by  means  of 
the  gateway  already  named,  when  the  former,  en 
couraged  by  the  tranquillity,  again  spoke. 
2P2 


450  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  The  ear  is  often  a  treacherous  companion,  friend 
Burgomaster,"  he  said,  "  and  like  the  tongue,  unless 
duly  watched,  may  lead  to  misunderstandings.  No 
doubt  we  both  thought,  at  the  moment,  that  we 
heard  the  Feet  of  hounds  beating  the  earth,  as  on  a 
hunt ;  thou  now  seest,  by  means  of  one  sense,  that 
the  other  hath  served  us  false.  But  we  approach 
the  end  of  our  little  pilgrimage,  and  we  will  halt, 
while  I  speak  the  people  in  explanation  of  our  opi 
nions  and  intentions." 

Heinrich  gave  the  signal,  and  the  choir  ceased  its 
chant,  while  the  crowd  drew  near  to  listen.  The 
Count  both  saw  and  felt  that  he  touched  the  real 
crisis,  in  the  furtherance  of  his  own  views,  as  op 
posed  to  those  of  the  brotherhood,  and  he  determined, 
by  a  severe  effort,  not  only  to  overcome  his  enemies, 
but  himself.  In  this  mood,  he  spoke. 

"  Ye  are  here,  my  honest  friends  and  vassals,"  he 
commenced,  "  both  as  the  faithful  who  respect  the 
usefulness  of  the  altar  when  rightly  served,  and  as 
men  who  are  disposed  to  see  and  judge  for  themselves. 
This  camp,  as  ye  witness  by  its  remains,  was  once 
occupied  by  armed  bands  of  warriors  who,  in  their 
day,  fought  and  fortified,  suffered  and  were  happy, 
bled  and  died,  conquered  or  were  vanquished,  much 
as  we  see  those  who  carry  arms  in  our  own  time, 
perform  these  several  acts,  or  submit  to  these  several 
misfortunes.  The  report  that  their  spirits  frequent 
the  spot,  is  as  little  likely  to  be  true,  as  that  the  spirits 
uf  all  who  have  fallen  with  arms  in  their  hands  remain 
near  the  earth  that  hath  swallowed  their  blood ;  a 
belief  that  would  leave  no  place  in  our  fair  Pa 
latinate  without  its  ghostly  tenant.  As  for  this  late 
alarm,  concerning  my  Forester,  poor  Berchthold  Hin- 
termayer,  it  is  the  less  probable  from  the  character 
of  the  youth,  who  well  knew  when  living  the  dis 
relish  I  have  felt  for  all  such  tales,  and  my  particular 
desire  to  banish  them  altogether  from  the  Jaegerthal, 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  451 

as  well  as  from  his  known  modesty  and  dutiful  obe 
dience.     You  see  plainly  that  here  are  no  dogs — " 

Enrich  met  with  a  startling  contradiction.  Just 
as  his  tongue,  which  was  getting  fluent  with  the  im 
punity  that  had  so  far  attended  his  declarations, 
uttered  the  latter  word,  the  long  drawn  cries  of 
hounds  were  heard.  Fifty  strong  German  exclama 
tions  escaped  the  crowd,  which  waved  like  a  troubled 
sea.  The  sounds  came  from  among  the  trees  in  the 
very  centre  of  the  dreaded  Heidenmauer,  and  seemed 
only  the  more  unearthly  from  rising  beneath  that 
gloomy  canopy  of  cedars. 

"  Let  us  go  on  !"  cried  the  Count,  excited  nearly 
to  madness,  and  seizing  the  handle  of  his  sword  with 
iron  grasp.  "  Tis  but  a  hound !  Some  miscreant 
hath  loosened  the  dog  from  his  leash,  and  he  scents  the 
footsteps  of  his  late  master,  who  had  the  habit  of 
visiting  the  holy  hermit  that  dwelt  here  of  late " 

"  Hush !"  interrupted   Lottchen,  advancing  hur 
riedly,  and  with  a  wild  eye,  from  the  throng  of  fe 
males.     "  God  is  about  to  reveal  his  power,  for  some 
great  end  ?     I  know — I  know — that  footstep — " 

She  was  fearfully  interrupted,  for  while  speaking, 
the  hounds  rushed  out  of  the  grove,  in  the  swift,  mad 
manner  common  to  the  animal,  and  made  a  rapid 
circuit  around  the  form  of  the  dazzled  and  giddy 
woman.  In  the  next  moment,  a  tottering  wall  gave 
way  to  the  powerful  leap  of  a  human  foot,  and  Lott 
chen  lay  senseless  on  the  bosom  of  her  son  ! 

We  draw  a  veil  before  the  sudden  fear,  the  gene 
ral  surprise,  the  tears,  the  delight,  and  the  more  re 
gulated  joy  of  the  next  hour. 

At  the  end  of  that  period,  the  scene  had  altogether 
changed.  The  chant  was  ended,  the  order  of  the 
procession  was  forgotten,  and  a  burning  curiosity 
had  taken  place  of  all  sensations  of  superstitious 
dread.  But  the  authority  of  Enrich  had  driven  the 
crowd  back  upon  the  common  of  the  Teufelstein, 


452  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

where  it  was  compelled  to  content  itself,  for  the  mo 
ment,  with  conjectures,  and  with  tales  of  similar 
sudden  changes  from  the  incarnate  to  the  carnate, 
that  were  reputed  to  have  taken  place  in  the  event 
ful  history  of  the  borders  of  the  Rhine. 

The  principal  group  of  actors  had  retired  a  little 
within  the  cover  of  the  cedars,  where,  favoured  by 
the  walls  and  the  trees,  they  remained  unseen  from 
without.  Young  Berchthold  was  seated  on  a  frag 
ment  of  fallen  wall,  supporting  his  still  half  incre 
dulous  mother  in  his  arms,  a  position  which  he  had 
received  the  Count's  peremptory,  but  kind  orders  to 
occupy.  Meta  was  kneeling  before  Lottchen,  whose 
hand  she  held  in  her  own,  though  the  bright  eye  and 
glowing  face  of  the  girl  followed,  with  undisguised 
and  ingenuous  interest,  every  glance  and  movement 
of  the  countenance  of  the  youth.  The  emotions 
of  that  hour  were  too  powerful  for  concealment,  and 
had  there  been  any  secret  concerning  her  sentiments, 
surprise  and  the  sudden  burst  of  feeling  that  was  its 
consequence,  would  have  wrung  it  from  her  heart. 
Ulrike  kneeled  too,  supporting  the  head  of  her  friend, 
but  smiling  and  happy.  The  Knight  of  Rhodes,  the 
Abbe,  Heinrich  and  the  smith  paced  back  and  forth, 
«s  sentinels  to  keep  the  curious  at  a  distance,  though 
occasionally  stopping  to  catch  sentences  of  the  dis 
course.  Emich  leaned  on  his  sword,  rejoicing  that 
his  apprehensions  were  groundless,  and  we  should 
do  injustice  to  his  rude  but  not  ungenerous  feelings,, 
did  we  not  say,  glad  to  find  that  Berchthold  was 
still  in  the  flesh.  When  we  add,  that  the  dogs 
played  their  frisky  gambols  around  the  crowd  on  the 
common,  which  could  hardly  yet  believe  in  their 
earthly  character,  our  picture  is  finished. 

The  deserving  of  this  world  may  be  divided  into 
two  great  classes ;  the  actively  and  the  passively 
good.  Ulrike  belonged  to  the  former,  for  though  she 
felt  as  strongly  as  most  others,  an  instinctive  recti 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  453 

tude  rarely  failed  to  suggest  some  affirmative  duty 
for  every  crisis  that  arrived.  It  was  she,  then,  (and 
we  here  beg  to  tell  the  reader  plainly,  she  is  our 
heroine,)  that  gave  such  a  direction  to  the  discourse 
as  was  most  likely  to  explain  what  was  unknown, 
without  harassing  anew  feelings  that  had  been  so 
long  and  so  sorely  tried. 

"  And  thou  art  now  absolved  from  thy  vow, 
Berchthold  ?"  she  asked,  after  one  of  those  short  in 
terruptions,  in  which  the  exquisite  happiness  of  such 
a  meeting  was  best  expressed  by  silent  sympathy. 
*  The  Benedictines  have  no  longer  any  claim  to  thy 
silence  1" 

"  They  set  the  return  of  the  pilgrims  as  their 
own  period,  and,  as  I  first  learned  the  agreeable 
tidings  by  seeing  you  all  in  the  procession,  I  had 
called  in  the  hounds,  who  were  scouring  the  chase, 
and  was  about  to  hurry  down  to  present  myself, 
when  I  met  you  all  at  the  gateway  of  the  camp. 
Our  meeting  would  have  taken  place  in  the  valley, 
but  that  duty  required  me  first  to  visit  the  Herr  Odo 
Von  Ritterstein " 

"  The  Herr  Von  Ritterstein !"  exclaimed  Ulrike, 
turning  pale. 

*«  What  of  my  ancient  comrade,  the  Herr  Odo, 
boy  ?"  demanded  Emich.  "  This  is  the  first  we  have 
heard  of  him  since  the  night  the  abbey  fell." 

"  I  have  told  my  tale  badly,"  returned  Berchthold, 
laughing  and  blushing,  for  he  was  neither  too  old 
nor  too  practised  to  blush,  "  since  I  have  forgotten 
to  name  the  Herr  Odo." 

"  Thou  told  us  of  a  companion,"  rejoined  his  mo 
ther,  glancing  a  look  at  Ulrike,  and  raising  herself 
from  the  support  of  her  son,  instinctively  alive  to 
her  friend's  embarrassment,  "  but  thou  called  him 
merely  a  religious." 

"  I  should  have  said  the  holy  Hermit,  whom  all 
now  know  to  be  the  Baron  Von  Ritterstein.  When 


454  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

obliged  to  fly  from  the  falling  roof,  I  met  the  Herr 
Odo  kneeling  before  an  altar,  and  recalling  the  form 
of  one  who  had  shown  me  much  favour,  it  was  he 
that  I  dragged  with  me  to  the  crypt. — I  surely  spoke 
of  our  wounds  and  helplessness!" 

"  True  ;  but  without  naming  thy  companion." 

"  It  was  the  Herr  Odo,  Heaven  be  praised ! 
When  the  monks  found  us,  on  the  following  day 
unable  to  resist,  and  weakened  with  hunger  and  loss 
of  blood,  we  were  secretly  removed  together,  as  ye 
have  heard,  and  cared  for  in  a  manner  to  restore  us 
both,  in  good  time,  to  our  strength  and  to  the  use 
of  our  limbs.  Why  the  Benedictines  chose  to  keep 
us  secret,  I  know*  not ;  but  this  silly  tale  of  the 
supernatural  huntsman,  and  of  dogs  loosened  from 
their  leash,  would  seem  to  prove  that  they  had  hopes 
of  still  working  on  the  superstition  of  the  country." 

"  Wilhelm  of  Venloo  had  nought  to  do  with  this  !" 
exclaimed  Emich,  who  had  been  musing  deeply. 
"  The  underlings  have  continued  the  game  after  "it 
was  abandoned  by  their  betters." 

"  This  may  be  so,  my  good  Lord ;  for  I  thought 
Father  Bonifacius  more  than  disposed  to  let  us  de 
part.  But  we  were  kept  until  the  matters  of  the 
compensation  and  of  the  pilgrimage  were  settled. 
They  found  us  easy  abettors  in  their  plot,  if  plot  to 
work  upon  the  fears  of  Deurckheim  was  in  their 
policy  ;  for  when  they  pledged  their  faith  that  my 
two  mothers  and  dearest  Meta  had  been  let  into  the 
secret  of  our  safety,  I  felt  no  extraordinary  haste  to 
quit  leeches  so  skilful,  and  so  likely  to  make  a  speedy 
cure  of  our  hurts." 

"  And  did  Bonifacius  affirm  this  lie  ?" 

"  I  say  not  the  Abbot,  my  Lord  Count,  but  most 
certainly  the  Brothers  Cuno  and  Siegfried  said  all 
this  and  more — the  malediction  of  a  wronged  son, 
and  of  a  most  foully  treated  mother" — 

His  mouth  was  stopped  by  the  hand  of  Meta. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  455 

"  We  will  forgive  past  sorrow  for  the  present  joy ;" 
murmured  the  weeping  girl. 

The  angry  and  flushed  brow  of  Berchthold  grew 
more  calm,  and  the  discourse  continued  in  a  gentler 
strain. 

Emich  now  walked  away  to  join  the  Burgomaster, 
and  together  they  endeavoured  to  penetrate  the  mo 
tives  which  had  led  the  monks  to  practise  their  de 
ception.  In  the  possession  of  so  effectual  a  key,  the 
solution  of  the  problem  was  not  difficult.  The  meet 
ing  of  Bonifacius  and  the  Count  at  Einsiedlen  had 
been  maturely  planned,  and  the  uncertain  state  of 
the  public  mind  in  the  valley  and  town  was  encour 
aged,  as  so  much  make-weight  in  the  final  settlement 
of  the  Convent's  claims ;  for  in  that  age,  the  men  of 
the  cloisters,  knew  well  how  to  turn  every  weakness 
of  humanity  to  good  purpose,  so  far  as  their  own 
interests  were  concerned. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

'Tis  over,  and  her  lovely  cheek  is  now 

On  her  hard  pillow —  Roger$. 

ON  the  following  morning  the  Count  of  Hartenburg 
took  horse  at  an  early  hour.  His  train,  however, 
showed  that  the  journey  was  to  be  short.  But 
Monsieur  Latouche,  who  mounted  in  company,  wore 
the  attire  and  furniture  of  a  traveller.  It  was  in 
truth  the  moment  when  Emich,  having  used  this 
quasi  churchman  for  his  own  ends,  was  about  to 
dismiss  him,  with  as  much  courtesy  and  grace  as  the 
circumstances  seemed  to  require,  Perhaps  no  picture 
of  the  different  faces  presented  by  a  church  that 
had  so  long  enjoyed  an  undisputed  monopoly  in 
dmstendom,  and  which,  as  a  consequence,  betrayed 
so  strong  a  tendency  to  abuses,  would  have  been 


456  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

complete  without  some  notice  of  such  characters  as 
the  Knight  of  the  Cross  and  the  Abbe ;  and  it  was, 
moreover,  our  duty,  as  faithful  chroniclers,  to  speak 
of  things  as  they  existed,  although  the  accessories 
might  not  have  a  very  capital  connection  with  the 
interest  of  the  principal  subject.  But  here  our 
slight  relations  with  the  Abbe  are  to  cease  altogether, 
his  host  having  treated  him,  as  many  politic  rulers 
treat  others  of  his  profession,  purely  as  the  instru 
ment  of  his  own  views.  Albrecht  of  Viederbach 
was  prepared  to  accompany  his  boon  associate  far 
as  Mannheim,  but  with  the  intention  to  return,  the 
unsettled  state  of  his  order,  and  his  consanguinity 
with  the  Count,  rendering  such  a  course  both  expe 
dient  and  agreeable.  Young  Berchthold,  too,  was 
in  the  saddle,  his  lord  having,  by  especial  favour, 
commanded  the  Forester  to  keep  at  his  crupper. 

The  cavalcade  ambled  slowly  down  the  Jaegerthal, 
the  Count  courteously  endeavoring  to  show  the  de 
parting  Abbe,  by  a  species  of  misty  logic  that  appears 
to  be  the  poetical  atmosphere  of  diplomacy,  that  he 
was  fully  justified  by  circumstances  for  affecting  all 
that  had  been  done,  and  the  latter  acquiescing  as 
readily  in  his  conclusions,  as  if  he  did  not  feel  that 
he  had  been  an  egregious  dupe. 

"  Thou  wilt  see  this  matter  rightly  represented 
among  thy  friends,  Master  Latouche,"  concluded  the 
Baron — "  should  there  be  question  of  it,  at  the  court 
of  thy  Francis : — whom  may  Heaven  quickly  restore 
to  his  longing  people — the  right  valiant  and  loyal 
Prince  and  gentleman !" 

"  I  will  take  upon  myself,  high-born  and  ingenuous 
Emich,  to  see  thee  fully  justified,  whenever  there 
shall  be  discussion  of  thy  great  warfare  and  exquisite 
policy  at  the  court  of  France.  Nay, — by  the  mass ! 
should  our  jurists,  or  our  statesmen  take  upon  them 
selves  to  prove  to  the  world  that  thy  house  hath  been 
wrong  in  this  immortal  enterprise,  I  pledge  thee  my 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  457 

faith  to  answer  their  reasons,  both  logically  and  po 
litically,  to  their  eternal  shame  and  confusion." 

As  Monsieur  Latouche  uttered  this  promise  with 
an  unequivocal  sneer,  he  thought  himself  fully  aveng 
ed,  for  the  silly  part  he  had  been  made  to  act  in  the 
Count's  intrigues.  At  a  later  day  he  often  told  the 
tale,  always  concluding  with  a  recital  of  this  bold 
and  ironical  allusion  to  the  petty  history  of  the  Jae- 
gerthal,  which  not  only  he,  but  a  certain  portion  of 
his  listeners,  seemed  to  think  gave  him  altogether 
the  best  of  the  affair.  Satisfied  with  his  success,  the 
Abbe  pricked  on,  to  repeat  it  to  the  knight,  who 
laughed  in  his  sleeve  at  his  friend  while  he  most  ex 
tolled  his  wit,  the  two  riding  ahead  in  a  manner  to 
leave  Emich  an  occasion  to  speak  in  confidence  with 
his  Forester.  4 

"  Hast  treated  of  this  affair  with  Heinrich,  as  I  bid 
thee,  boy  ?"  demanded  the  Count,  in  a  manner  be 
tween  authority  and  affection,  that  he  was  much  ac 
customed  to  use  with  Berchthold. 

"  I  have,  my  Lord  Count,  and  right  pressingly,  as 
my  heart  urged,  but  with  little  hope  of  benefit." 

"  How  ? — Doth  the  silly  burgher  still  count  upon 
his  marks,  after  what  hath  passed !  Didst  tell  him 
of  the  interest  I  take  in  the  marriage,  and  of  my  in 
tent  to  name  thee  to  higher  duties,  in  my  villages  ?" 

"  None  of  these  favors  were  forgotten,  or  aught 
else  that  a  keen  desire  could  suggest,  or  a  willing 
memory  recall." 

"  What  answer  had  the  burgher  ?" 

Berchthold  colored,  hesitating  to  reply.  It  was 
only  when  Emich  sternly  repeated  the  question,  that 
the  truth  was  extorted  from  him ;  for  nought  but 
truth  would  one  so  loyal  consent  to  use. 

*'  He  said,  Herr  Count,  that  if  it  was  your  pleasure 

to  name  a  husband  for  his  child,  it  should  also  be 

your  pleasure  to  see  that  he  was  not  a  beggar.  I  do 

but  give  the  words  of  the  Herr  Frey ;  for  which 

2Q 


458  THE  HEIDEKMAUER. 

liberty,  I  beg  my  lord  to  hold  me  free  of  all  disre 
spect." 

"  The  niggardly  miser !  These  hounds  of  Deurck 
heim  shall  be  made  to  know  their  master — But  be 
of  cheer,  boy ;  our  tears  and  pilgrimages  shall  not  be 
wasted,  and  thou  shalt  soon  wive  with  a  fairer  and 
better,  as  becometh  him  I  love." 

"  Nay,  Herr  Emich,  I  do  beseech  and  implore" — 

"  Ha !  Yon  is  the  drivelling  Heinrich  seated  on  a 
rock  of  this  ravine,  like  a  vidette  watching  the  ma 
rauders  !  Prick  forward,  Berchthold,  and  desire  my 
noble  friends  to  tarry  at  the  Town-Hall  making  their 
compliments  ; — as  for  thee,  thou  mayest  humour  thy 
folly,  and  greet  the  smiling  face  of  the  pretty  Meta 
the  while." 

The  Forester  dashed  ahead  like  an  arrow  :  while 
the  Count  reined  his  own  courser  aside,  turning  into 
that  ravine  by  which  the  path  led  to  the  Heiden- 
mauer,  when  the  ascent  was  made  from  the  side  of 
the  valley.  Emich  was  soon  at  the  Burgomaster's 
side,  having  thrown  his  bridle  to  a  servitor  that  fol 
lowed. 

"  How  is  this,  brother  Heinrich  1"  he  cried,  dis 
pleasure  disappearing  in  habitual  policy  and  well 
practised  management — "  art  still  bent  on  exorcism, 
or  hast  neglected  some  offices,  in  yester's  pilgrimage?" 

"  Praised  be  St.  Benedict,  or  Brother  Luther  ! — 
for  1  know  not  fairly  to  which  the  merit  is  most  due — 
our  Deurckheim  is  in  a  thrice  happy  disposition,  as 
touching  all  witchcraft,  and  devilry,  or  even  churchly 
miracles.  This  mystery  of  the  hounds  being  so  hap 
pily  settled,  the  public  mind  seemeth  to  have  taken 
a  sudden  change,  and  from  sweating  in  broad  day 
light  at  the  nestling  of  a  mouse,  or  the  hop  of  a 
cricket,  our  crones  are  ready  to  set  demonology  and 
Lucifer  himself  at  defiance." 

"  The  lucky  clearing  up  of  that  difficulty  will,  in 
sooth,  do  much  to  favour  the  late  Saxon  opinions 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  459 

and  may  go  near  to  set  the  monk  of  Wittenburg 
firmly  upon  his  feet,  in  our  country.  Thou  seest, 
Hemrich,  that  a  dilemma  so  unriddled  is  worth  a 
library  of  musty  Latin  maxims." 

"  That  is  it,  Herr  Emich,  and  the  more  especially 
as  we  are  a  reasoning  town.  Our  minds  once  fairly 
enlightened,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  throw  them  into 
the  shade  again.  It  was  seen  how  sorely  the  best 
of  us  were  troubled  with  a  couple  of  vagrant  dogs  so 
lately  as  yesterday,  and  now  I  much  question  if  the 
whole  of  the  gallant  pack  would  so  much  as  raise  a 
doubt !  We  have  had  a  lucky  escape,  Lord  Count, 
for  another  day  of  uncertainty  would  have  gone  nigh 
to  set  up  Limburg  church  again,  and  that  without 
the  masonry  of  the  devil.  There  is  nought  so  potent 
in  an  argument,  as  a  little  apprehension  of  losses  or 
of  plagues  thrown  into  the  scale.  Wisdom  weighs 
light  against  profit  or  fear." 

"  It  is  well  as  it  is,  though  Limburg  roof  will  never 
again  cover  Limburg  wall,  friend  Heinrich,  while  an 
Emich  rules  in  Hartenburg  and  Deurckheim." — The 
Count  saw  the  cloud  on  the  Burgomaster's  brow  as 
he  uttered  the  latter  word,  and  slapping  him  fami 
liarly  on  a  shoulder,  he  added  so  quickly  as  to  pre 
vent  reflection : — "  But  how  now,  Herr  Frey ;  why 
art  at  watch  in  this  solitary  ravine  ?" 

Heinrich  was  flattered  by  the  noble's  condescen 
sion,  and  not  displeased  to  have  a  listener  to  his 
tale.  First  looking  about  him  to  see  that  no  one 
could  overhear  their  discourse,  he  answered  on  a 
lower  key,  in  the  manner  in  which  communications 
that  needs  confidence  are  usually  made. 

"  You  know,  Herr  Emich,  this  weakness  of  Ulrike, 
concerning  hermitages  and  monks,  altars  and  saints' 
days,  with  all  those  other  practices  of  which  we 
may  now  reasonably  expect  to  be  quit,  since  late 
rumors  speak  marvels  of  Luther's  success.  Well 
the  good  woman  would  have  a  wish  to  come  upon 


460  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

the  Heidenmauer  this  morning,  and  as  there  had  been 
some  warm  argument  between  us,  and  the  poor  wife 
had  wept  much  concerning  marrying  our  child  with 
young  Berchthold,  a  measure  out  of  all  prudence  ana 
reason,  as  you  must  see,  nobly-born  Count,  I  was  fain 
willing  to  escort  her  thus  far,  that  she  might  give 
vent  to  her  sorrow  in  godly  discourse  with  the 
hermit." 

"  And  Ulrike  is  above,  in  the  cedars,  with  the  an 
chorite  1" 

"  As  sure  as  I  am  here  waiting  her  return,  Lord 
Count" 

"  Thou  art  a  gallant  husband,  Master  Frey ! — 
Wert  wont  of  old  to  resort  much  with  the  Herr  Odo 
Von  Ritterstein — he  who  playeth  this  masquerade  of 
penitence  and  seclusion  1" 

"  Sapperment ! — I  never  could  endure  the  arro 
gant  !  But  Ulrike  fancieth  he  hath  qualities  that  are 
not  so  evil,  and  a  woman's  taste,  like  a  child's  hu 
mors,  is  easiest  altered  by  giving  it  scope." 

Emich  laid  both  hands  on  the  shoulders  of  his 
companion,  looking  him  full  and  earnestly  in  the  face. 
The  glances  that  were  exchanged  in  this  attitude, 
were  pregnant  with  meaning.  That  of  the  Count 
expressed  the  distrust,  the  contempt,  and  the  wonder 
of  a  man  of  loose  life,  while  that  of  the  Burgomas 
ter,  by  appearing  to  reflect  the  character  of  the 
woman  who  had  so  long  been  his  wife,  expressed  vo 
lumes  in  her  favor.  No  language  could  have  said 
more  for  Ulrike's  principles  and  purity,  than  the 
simple,  hearty,  and  unalterable  confidence  of  the 
man  who  necessarily  had  so  many  opportunities  of 
knowing  her.  Neither  spoke,  until  the  Count,  re 
leasing  his  grasp,  walked  slowly  up  the  mountain^ 
saying  in  a  voice  which  proved  how  stroogly  he 
felt— 

'I  would  thy  consort    had  been 
richl" 


THE  HEIDENMAUER  461 

"  Nay,  my  good  lord,"  answered  the  Burgomaster, 
**  the  wish  were  scarcely  kind  to  a  friend !  In  that 
case,  I  could  not  have  wived  the  Frau." 

"  Tell  me,  good  Heinrich — for  I  never  heard  the 
history  of  thy  love — wert  thou  and  thy  proposal 
well  received,  when  first  offered  to  the  virgin  heart 
of  Herr  Hailtzinger's  daughter  1n 

The  Burgomaster  was  not  displeased  with  an  op 
portunity  of  alluding  to  a  success  that  had  made  him 
the  envy  of  his  equals. 

"  The  end  must  speak  for  the  means,  Herr  Count," 
he  answered  chuckling.  "  Ulrike  is  none  of  your 
free  and  froward  spirits  to  jump  out  of  a  window, 
or  to  meet  a  youth  more  than  half-way,  but  such 
encouragement  as  hecometh  maiden  diffidence  was 
not  wanting,  or  mine  own  ill  opinion  of  myself  might 
have  kept  me  a  bachelor  to  this  hour." 

Emich  chafed  to  hear  such  language  coming  from 
one  he  so  little  respected,  and  applied  to  one  he  had 
really  loved.  The  effort  to  swallow  his  spleen  pro 
duced  a  short  silence,  of  which  we  shall  avail  our 
selves  to  transfer  the  scene  to  the  hut  of  the  hermit, 
where  there  was  an  interview  that  proved  decisive 
of  the  future  fortunes  of  several  of  the  characters 
of  our  tale. 

The  day  which  succeeded  the  restoration  of  Berch- 
thold  had  been  one  of  general  joy  and  felicitation  in 
Deurckheim.  There  was  an  end  to  the  doubts  of 
the  timid  and  superstitious,  concerning  an  especial 
and  an  angry  visitation  from  Heaven,  as  a  merited 
punishment  for  overturning  the  altars  of  the  Abbey, 
and  few  were  so  destitute  of  good  feeling,  not  to 
sympathize  in  the  happiness  of  those  who  had  so 
bitterly  mourned  the  fancied  death  of  the  Forester. 
As  is  usual  in  cases  of  violent  transitions,  the  reac 
tion  helped  to  lessen  the  influence  of  the  monks,  and 
even  those  most  inclined  to  doubt,  were  now  encou 
raged  to  hope  that  the  religious  change,  which  was 
2Q2 


462  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

so  fast  gaining  ground,  might  not  produce  all  the  hor 
rors  that  had  been  dreaded. 

Heinrich  has  revealed  the  nature  of  the  discussion 
that  took  place  between  himself  and  his  wife.  The 
latter  had  endeavored  in  vain  to  seize  the  favor 
able  moment  to  work  upon  the  feelings  of  the  Bur 
gomaster,  in  the  interests  of  the  lovers ;  but,  though 
sincerely  glad  that  a  youth  who  had  shown  such 
mettle  in  danger  was  not  the  victim  of  his  courage, 
Heinrich  was  not  of  a  temperament  to  let  any  ad 
miration  of  generous  deeds  affect  the  settled  policy 
of  a  whole  life.  It  was  at  the  close  of  this  useless 
and  painful  conference,  that  the  mother  suddenly 
demanded  permission  of  her  husband  to  visit  the 
hermit,  who  had  been  left,  as  before  the  recent  events, 
in  undisturbed  possession  of  the  dreaded  Heiden- 
mauer. 

Any  other  than  a  man  constituted  like  Heinrich 
might,  at  such  a  moment,  have  heard  this  request 
with  distrust.  But  strong  in  his  opinion  of  himself, 
and  accustomed  to  confide  in  his  wife,  the  obstinate 
Burgomaster  hailed  the  application  as  a  means  of 
relieving  him  from  a  discussion,  in  which,  while  he 
scarce  knew  how  plausibly  to  defend  his  opinion,  he 
was  resolutely  determined  not  to  yield.  The  man 
ner  in  which  he  volunteered  to  accompany  his  wife, 
and  in  which  he  remained  patiently  awaiting  her 
return,  and  the  commencement  of  his  dialogue  with 
Emich  are  known.  With  this  short  explanation,  we 
shall  shift  the  scene  to  the  hut  of  the  Anchorite. 

Odo  of  Ritterstein  was  pale  with  loss  of  blood 
from  the  wounds  received  from  a  fragment  of  the 
falling  roof,  but  paler  still  by  the  force  of  that  inward 
fire  which  consumed  him.  The  features  of  his  fair 
and  gentle  companion  were  not  bright,  as  usual, 
though  nought  could  rob  Ulrike  of  that  winning 
beauty,  which  owed  so  much  of  its  charm  to  ex 
pression.  Both  appeared  agitated  with  what  had 


THE  HE1DENMAUER- 

already  passed  between  them,  and  perhaps  still  more 
by  those  feelings,  which  each  had  struggled  to  conceal. 
"  Thou  hast  indeed  had  many  moving  passages  in 
thy  life,  Odo,"  said  the  gentle  Ulrike,  who  was  seem 
ingly  listening  to  some  recital  from  the  other's  lips ; 
"  and  this  last  miraculous  escape  from  death  is  among 
the  most  wonderful." 

"  That  I  should  have  perished  beneath  the  roof 
of  Limburg,  on  the  anniversary  of  my  crime,  and 
with  the  fall  of  those  altars  I  violated,  would  have 
been  so  just  a  manifestation  of  Heaven's  displeasure, 
Ulrike,  that  even  now  I  can  scarce  believe  I  am  per 
mitted  to  live  !  Thou  then  thought  in  common  witfc 
others,  that  I  had  been  released  from  this  life  of 
wo?" 

"  Thou  lookest  with  an  unthankful  eye  at  what 
thou  hast  of  hope  and  favor,  or  thou  wouldst  not 
use  a  term  so  ungrateful  in  speaking  of  thy  sorrows. 
Remember,  Odo,  that  our  joys,  in  this  being,  are 
tainted  with  mortality,  and  that  thy  unhappiness 
does  not  surpass  that  of  thousands  who  still  struggle 
with  their  duties." 

"  This  is  the  difference  between  the  unquiet  ocean 
and  tranquil  waters — between  the  oak  and  the  reed ! 
The  current  of  thy  calm  existence  may  be  ruffled 
by  the  casual  interruption  of  some  trifling  obstacle, 
but  the  gentle  surface  soon  subsides,  leaving  the  ele 
ment  limpid  and  without  stain  1  Thy  course  is  that 
of  the  flowing  and  pure  spring,  while  mine  is  the 
torrent's  mad  and  turbulent  leaps.  Thou  hast  indeed 
well  said,  Ulrike,  God  did  not  form  us  for  each 
other !" 

"  Whatever  nature  may  have  done  towards  suit 
ing  our  dispositions  and  desires,  Odo,  Providence  and 
the  world's  usages  have  interposed  to  defeat." 

The  hermit  gazed  at  the  mild  speaker  with  eyes 
so  fixed  and  dazzling,  that  she  bowed  her  own  look 
to  the  earth. 


THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  No,"  he  murmured  rapidly,  "  Heaven  and  earth 
have  different  destinies — the  lion  and  the  lamb  dif 
ferent  instincts !" 

"  Nay,  1  will  none  of  this  disreputable  deprecia 
tion  of  thyself,  poor  Odo.  That  thou  hast  been  err 
ing,  we  shall  not  deny — for  who  is  without  re 
proach  ? — but  that  thou  meritest  these  harsh  epithets, 
none  but  thyself  would  venture  to  affirm." 

"  I  have  met  with  many  enigmas,  Ulrike,  in  an 
eventful  and  busy  life — I  have  seen  those  who  work 
ed  both  good  and  evil— encountered  those  who  have 
defeated  their  own  ends  by  their  own  wayward 
means — but  never  have  I  known  one  so  devoted  to 
the  right,  that  seemed  so  disposed  to  extenuate  the 
sinner's  faults !" 

"  Then  hast  thou  never  met  the  true  lover  of  God 
or  known  a  Christian.  It  matters  not,  Odo,  whether 
we  admit  of  this  or  that  form  of  faith — the  fruit  of 
the  right  tree  is  charity  and  self-abasement,  and 
these  teach  us  to  think  humbly  of  ourselves  and 
kindly  of  others." 

"  Thou  began  early  to  practise  these  golden  rules, 
or  surely  thou  never  wouldst  have  forgotten  thine 
own  excellence,  or  have  been  ready  to  sacrifice  it  to 
the  heedless  impulses  of  one  so  reckless  as  him  to 
whom  thou  wast  betrothed  1" 

The  eye  of  Ulrike  grew  brighter,  but  it  was  merely 
because  a  tinge  of  color  diffused  itself  on  her  features. 

"  I  know  not  for  what  good  purpose,  Herr  Von 
Ritterstein,"  she  said,  "  that  these  allusions  are  now 
made.  You  know  that  I  have  come  to  make  a  last 
effort  to  secure  the  peace  of  Meta.  Berchthold  spoke 
to  me  of  your  intention  to  reward  the  service  he  did 
your  life,  and  I  have  now  to  say,  that  if  in  ought 
you  can  do  the  youth  favor,  the  moment  when  it 
will  be  most  acceptable,  hath  come — for  Lottchen 
has  been  too  sorely  stricken  to  bear  up  long  against 
further  grief." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  465 

The  Hermit  was  reproved.  He  turned  slowly  to 
one  of  his  receptacles  of  worldly  stores,  and  drew 
forth  a  packet.  The  rattling  told  his  companion 
that  it  was  of  parchment,  and  she  waited  the  result 
with  curious  interest. 

"  I  will  scarce  say,  Ulrike,"  he  replied,  "that  this 
deed  is  the  price  of  a  life  that  is  scarce  worth  the  gift. 
Early  in  my  acquaintance  with  young  Berchthold 
and  Meta,  I  wrung  their  secret  from  them ;  and  from 
that  moment  it  hath  heen  my  greatest  pleasure  to 
devise  means  to  secure  the  happiness  of  one  so  dear  to 
thee.  I  found  in  the  child,  the  simple,  ingenuous  faith 
which  was  so  admirable  in  the  mother,  and  shall  1 
say  that  reverence  for  the  latter  quickened  the  de 
sire  to  serve  her  offspring  ?" 

"  I  certainly  owe  thee  thanks,  Herr  Von  Ritter- 
stein,  for  the  constancy  of  this  good  opinion,"  re 
turned  Ulrike,  showing  sensibility. 

"  Thank  me  not,  but  rather  deem  the  desire  to 
serve  thy  child  a  tribute  that  repentant  error  gladly 
pays  to  virtue.  Thou  knowest  that  I  am  the  last  of 
my  race,  and  there  remained  nought  but  to  endow 
some  religious  house,  to  let  my  estate  and  gold  pass 
to  the  feudal  prince,  or  to  do  this." 

"  I  could  not  have  thought  it  easy  to  effect  this 
change,  in  opposition  to  the  Elector's  interests  !" 

"  Those  have  been  looked  to ;  a  present  fine  has 
smoothed  the  way,  and  these  parchments  contain  all 
that  is  necessary  to  install  young  Berchthold  as  my 
substitute  and  heir." 

**  Friend ! — dear,  generous  friend !"  exclaimed  the 
mother,  moved  to  tears,  for,  at  that  moment,  Ulrike 
saw  nothing  but  the  future  happiness  of  her  child  as 
sured,  and  Berchthold  restored  to  more  than  his 
former  hopes — "  generous  and  noble  Odo  1" 

The  hermit  arose,  and  placed  the  parchment  in 
her  hand,  in  the  manner  of  one  long  prepared  to  per  * 
form  the  act. 


466  THE  HEIDENMAUER. 

"  And  now,  Ulrike,"  he  said  with  a  forced  calm, 
"  this  solemn  and  imperative  duty  done,  there  re« 
maineth  but  the  last  leave-taking." 

"  Leave-taking  ! — Thou  wilt  live  with  Meta  and 
Berchthold, — the  castle  of  Ritterstein  will  he  thy 
resting-place,  after  so  much  sorrow  and  suffering  1" 

"  This  may  not  be — my  vow — my  duties — Ulrike, 
I  fear,  my  prudence  forbids." 

"Thy  prudence! — Thou  art  no  longer  young, 
dear  Odo, — privations  thou  hast  hitherto  despised 
will  overload  thy  increasing  years,  and  we  shall  not 
be  happy  with  the  knowledge  that  thou  art  suffer 
ing  for  the  very  conveniences  which  thine  own  libe 
rality  hath  conferred  on  others." 

"  Habit  hath  taken  nature's  place,  and  the  her 
mitage  and  the  camp  are  no  longer  strangers  to  me. 
If  thou  wouldst  secure  not  only  my  peace,  but  my 
salvation,  Ulrike,  let  me  depart.  I  have  already  lin 
gered  too  long  near  a  scene  which  is  filled  with  recol 
lections  that  prove  dread  enemies  to  the  penitent." 

Ulrike  recoiled,  and  her  cheek  blanched  to  pale 
ness.  Every  limb  trembled,  for  that  quick  sympathy, 
which  neither  time  nor  duty  had  entirely  extinguish 
ed,  silently  admonished  her  of  his  meaning.  There 
was  a  fervor  in  his  voice,  too,  that  thrilled  on  her 
ear  like  tones  which,  spite  of  all  her  care,  the  truant 
imagination  would  sometimes  recall ;  for,  in  no  sub 
sequent  condition  of  life,  can  a  woman  entirely  for 
get  the  long  cherished  sounds  with  which  true  love 
first  greets  the  maiden  ear. 

"  Odo,"  said  a  voice  so  gentle  that  it  caused  the 
heart  of  the  anchorite  to  beat,  "  when  dost  thou  think 
to  depart  V9 

"  This  day — this  hour — this  minute." 

"  I  believe — yes, — thou  art  right  to  go !" 

"  Ulrike,  God  will  keep  thee  in  mind.  Pray  often 
for  me." 

"  Farewell,  dear  Odo." 


THE  HEIDENMAUER.  467 

"  God  bless  thee — may  he  have  mercy  on  me !" 

There  was  then  a  short  pause.  The  hermit  ap 
proached  and  lifted  his  hands  in  the  attitude  of  bene 
diction  ;  twice  he  seemed  about  to  clasp  the  unre 
sisting  Ulrike  to  his  bosom,  but  her  meek,  tearful 
countenance  repressed  the  act,  and,  muttering  a 
prayer,  he  rushed  from  the  hut.  Left  to  herself, 
Ulrike  sank  on  a  stool,  and  remained  like  an  image 
of  wo,  tears  flowing  in  streams  down  her  cheeks. 

Some  minutes  elapsed  before  the  wife  of  Hein- 
rich  Frey  was  aroused  from  her  forgetfulness.  Then 
the  approach  of  footsteps  told  her  that  she  was  no 
longer  alone.  For  the  first  time  in  her  life,  Ulrike 
endeavored  to  conceal  her  emotion  with  a  sentiment 
of  shame :  but  ere  this  could  be  effected,  the  Count 
and  Heinrich  entered. 

"  What  hast  done  with  poor  Odo  Von  Ritterstein, 
good  Frau ;  that  man  of  sin  and  sorrow  V9  demanded 
the  latter,  in  his  hearty,  unsuspecting  manner. 

"  He  has  left  us,  Heinrich." 

"For  his  castle! — well,  the  man  hath  had  his 
share  of  sorrow,  and  ease  may  not  yet  come  too 
late.  The  life  of  Odo,  Lord  Count,  hath  not  been, 
like  our  own  histories,  of  a  nature  to  make  him  con 
tent.  Had  that  affair  of  the  host,  though  at  the 
best  but  an  irreverent  and  unwarrantable  act,  hap 
pened  in  these  days,  less  might  have  been  thought 
of  it ;  and  then,  (tapping  his  wife's  cheek)  to  lose 
Ulrike's  favor  was  no  slight  calamity  of  itself. — But 
what  have  we  here  ?" 

"  'Tis  a  deed,  by  which  the  Herr  Von  Ritterstein 
'nvests  Berchthold  with  his  worldly  effects." 

The  Burgomaster  hastily  unfolded  the  ample 
parchment.  At  a  glance,  though  unable  to  compre 
hend  the  Latin  of  the  instrument,  his  accustomed  eye 
saw  that  all  the  usual  appliances  were  there. 
Turning  suddenly  to  Emich,  for  he  was  not  slow  to 
comprehend  the  cause  of  the  gift,  he  exclaimed — 


468  THE  HETDENMAUER 

"  Here  is  manna  in  the  wilderness !  Our  differ 
ences  are  all  happily  settled,  nobly-born  Count,  and 
next  to  according  the  hand  of  Meta  to  the  owner  of 
the  lands  of  Ritterstein,  I  hold  it  a  pleasure  to  oblige 
an  illustrious  friend  and  patron.  Henceforth,  Herr 
Emich,  let  there  be  nought  but  fair  words  between 
us." 

Since  entering  the  hut,  the  Count  had  not  spoken. 
His  look  had  studied  the  tearful  eyes,  and  colorless 
cheeks  of  Ulrike,  and  he  put  his  own  constructions  on 
the  scene.  Still  he  did  the  fair  wife  of  the  burgher 
justice,  for,  though  less  credulous  than  Heinrich  on 
the  subject  of  his  consort's  affections,  he  too  well 
knew  the  spotless  character  of  her  mind,  to  change 
the  opinion  her  virtue  had  extorted  from  him,  in 
early  youth.  He  accepted  the  conditions  of  his 
friend,  with  as  much  apparent  frankness  as  they 
were  offered,  and,  after  a  few  short  explanations,  the 
whole  party  left  the  Heidenmauer  together. 

Our  task  is  ended.  On  the  following  day  Berch- 
thold  and  Meta  were  united.  The  Castle  and  the 
Town  vied  with  each  other  doing  in  honor  to  the 
nuptials,  and  Ulrike  and  Lottchen  endeavored  to 
forget  their  own  permanent  causes  of  sorrow  in  the 
happiness  of  their  children. 

In  due  time  Berchthold  took  possession  of  his  lands, 
removing  with  his  bride  and  mother  to  the  Castle  of 
Ritterstein,  which  he  always  affected  to  hold  merely 
as  the  trustee  of  its  absent  owner.  Gottlob  was  pro 
moted  in  his  service,  and  having  succeeded  in  persuad 
ing  Gisela  to  forget  the  gay  cavalier  who  had  fre 
quented  Hartenburg,  these  two  wayward  spirits 
settled  down  into  a  half-loving,  half- wrangling  couple, 
foi  the  rest  of  their  lives. 

Deurckheim,  as  is  commonly  the  case  with  the 
secondary  actors  in  most  great  changes,  shared  the 
fate  of  the  frogs  in  the  fable  ;  it  got  rid  of  the  Bene 
dictines  for  a  new  master,  and  though  the  Burgo* 


THE  HEIDKNMAUER.  469 

master  and  Dietrich,  in  after  life,  had  many  wise 
discourses  concerning  the  nature  of  the  revolution  of 
Limburg,  as  the  first  affected  to  call  the  destruction 
of  the  Abbey,  he  never  could  very  clearly  explain  to 
the  understanding  of  the  latter,  the  great  principles 
of  its  merits.  Still  the  smith  was  not  the  less  an  ad 
mirer  of  the  Count,  and  to  this  day  his  descendants 
show  the  figure  of  a  marble  cherub,  as  a  trophy 
brought  away  by  their  ancestor  on  that  occasion. 

Bonifacius  and  his  monks  found  shelter  in  other 
convents,  each  endeavoring  to  lessen  the  blow,  by 
such  expedients  as  best  suited  his  tastes  and  charac 
ter.  The  pious  Arnolph  persevered  to  the  end,  and, 
believing  charity  to  be  the  fairest  attribute  of  the 
Christian,  he  never  ceased  to  pray  for  the  enemies 
of  the  church,  or  to  toil  that  they  might  have  the 
benefit  of  his  intercession. 

As  for  Odo  Von  Ritterstein,  the  country  was  long 
moved  by  different  tales  of  his  fate.  One  rumor — 
and  it  had  much  currency — said  he  was  serving  in 
company  with  Albrecht  of  Viderbach,  who  rejoined 
his  brother  knights,  and  that  he  died  on  the  sands  of 
Africa.  But  there  is  another  tradition  extant  in  the 
Jaergethal,  touching  his  end.  It  it  is  said,  that,  thirty 
years  later,  after  Heinrich,  and  Emich  of  Leiningen, 
and  most  of  the  other  actors  of  this  legend,  had  been 
called  to  their  great  accounts,  an  aged  wanderer 
came  to  the  gate  of  Ritterstein,  demanding  shelter 
for  the  night.  He  is  reported  to  have  been  well  re 
ceived  by  Meta,  her  husband  and  son  being  then 
absent  in  the  wars,  and  to  have  greatly  interested 
his  hostess,  by  the  histories  he  gave  of  customs  and 
events  in  distant  regions.  Pleased  with  her  guest, 
the  Madame  Von  Ritterstein  (for  Berchthold  had 
purchased  this  appellation  by  his  courage)  urged 
him  to  rest  himself  another  day  within  her  walls. 
From  communicating,  the  stranger  began  to  inquire; 
and  he  so  knew  how  to  put  his  questions,  that  he  soon 
2R 


470  THE  HEIDENMAUEK. 

obtained  the  history  of  the  family.  Ulrike  was  the 
last  he  named ;  and  the  younger  female  inmates  of 
the  castle  fancied  that  his  manner  changed  as  he 
listened  to  the  account  of  the  close  of  her  life,  and 
of  her  peaceful  and  pious  end.  The  stranger  de 
parted  that  very  day,  nor  would  his  visit  probably 
have  been  remembered,  had  not  his  body  been  short 
ly  after  found  in  the  hut  of  the  Heidenmauer,  stiffen- 
ed  by  death.  Those  who  love  to  throw  a  coloring 
of  romance  over  the  affections,  are  fond  of  believing 
this  was  the  Hermit,  who  had  found  a  secret  satis 
faction,  even  at  the  close  of  so  long  a  life,  in  breath 
ing  his  last  on  the  spot  where  he  had  finally  sepa 
rated  from  the  woman  he  had  so  long  and  fruitlessly 
loved. 

To  this  tradition — true  or  false — we  attach  no 
importance.  Our  object  has  been  to  show,  by  a 
rapidly-traced  picture  of  life,  the  reluctant  manner 
in  which  the  mind  of  man  abandons  old,  to  receive 
new,  impressions — the  inconsistencies  between  pro 
fession  and  practice — the  error  in  confounding  the 
good  with  the  bad,  in  any  sect  or  persuasion — the 
common  and  governing  principles  that  control  the 
selfish,  under  every  shade  and  degree  of  existence — 
and  the  high  and  immutable  qualities  of  the  good, 
the  virtuous,  and  of  the  really  noble. 


THE  END. 


